Skoda Confirms 6 Launches For 2013

Skoda has confirmed it is to launch six new models by the end of 2013. 

The Rapid and the Octavia were teased repeatedly on the main Skoda fan page and the launches did not go unnoticed even with Facebook users who weren’t auto buffs. After all, who isn’t logging to Facebook today to keep a tab on their world?

Just before the year closed, Skoda’s French subsidiary uploaded one such image, teasing not one, but five launches for their country.

The first launch is that of the new Rapid, indicating the start of availability in the French market. The second launch is the Octavia sedan that rolled out last month, and the veil on the third launch covers the impending Octavia wagon variant.

The fourth, fifth and sixth launches could feature the Roomster facelift while photographs of the facelifted Yeti and Superb test prototypes spotted around the foothills of the Alps, characterizing the VisionD concept, confirm that they are waiting for their big days this year.

For the Indian market, 2013 could witness the launch of the new Octavia in the first half of the year, followed by facelifts of the Superb and Yeti towards the festival season.

For 2014 and 2015, Skoda should secretly be working on their version of the Taigun and the Up!-based sedan and not to forget the next generation Fabia and Yeti using the MQB platform.

Meanwhile, Skoda Auto India sales during the calendar year 2012 totaled 34,678 units as compared to 30,741 units in the same period of 2011 resulting in 13% sales growth. This was a notable increase in sales, especially when considering tough and turbulent conditions being faced by auto companies in India.

“Despite challenging market conditions, Skoda India achieved growth of 13% on the strength of our strong product line-up.  Skoda Rapid steered our sales for this year and will continue to be one of our prime offerings in the year ahead.  We are confident that the Skoda range of products, anchored by our class-leading Skoda Superb at the top end and the acknowledged high-quality and value-for-money Skoda Fabia at the bottom end will continue to grow from strength to strength.  Our approach for 2013 is to continue the focus on improving Skoda’s performance in all areas of business in order to enhance the experience our customers have with Skoda products and services”, says Mr Sudhir Rao, Managing Director, Skoda Auto India.

[Indian Autos Blog]