Return of the legend– ŠKODA startswith Octavia production in India, a new chapter of success

The new Octavia unveiled by Prof. Dr. h.c.Winfried Valhand, Board Chairman, SKODA Auto a.s

 

The new Octavia being unveiled by (LtoR) Dr. Frank Welsch, Board Member, Technical Development, SKODA AUTO a.s, Mr.Sudhir Rao, Managing Director, SKODA Auto India and Prof. Dr. h.c.Winfried Valhand, Board Chairman, SKODA Auto a.s

›  The Octavia is back: First generation impressed the 

ndians, now production starts on the next generation in 

the subcontinent

›  The new ŠKODA Octavia is in a class of its own; 

launches in the Indian market during the festival season

›  Production underway at the Aurangabad plant

Mumbai, 9^th August, 2013 – The ŠKODA Octavia returns to India. Today sees the first of the latest generation of ŠKODA’s bestseller roll off the production lines from the Indian plant in Aurangabad. The new ŠKODA Octavia boasts of great roominess, high functionality and incorporation of latest technology, making it a fantastic value for money product.

“The new ŠKODA Octavia is now being produced at purpose-built facilities in one of the international growth markets. By far our most important model in the Indian market is also an engine of growth for ŠKODA,” says ŠKODA CEO Prof. Dr.h.c. Winfried Vahland.

The third generation is the largest, most practical, safest, most comfortable and environmentally friendly Octavia ever. The Octavia boasts of unrivalled space, a timeless and elegant design, high functionality, innovative safety and comfort systems, economical consumption, many Simply Clever ideas and typical ŠKODA value for money. The car is in a class of its own and offers mid-class qualities for the price of a compact car. “The new Octavia is a great car that meets the needs of Indian customers perfectly: lots of space, modern design, excellent quality and advanced technology at an affordable price,” says Werner Eichhorn, ŠKODA Board Member for Sales and Marketing.

Sudhir Rao, Managing Director, ŠKODA Auto India, said, “The ‘Octavia’ model line launched ŠKODA in the country 12 years ago and has enjoyed a cult status in India ever since. The Octavia instantly became a game changer in the segment and revolutionized the Indian automotive industry. Since then ŠKODA has come a long way in the Indian market and the Octavia has always been the heart of our brand. Now, with the new-generation Octavia, which will be introduced in India during the festival season, we promise all of this and much more.”

With the launch of the new Octavia, the Czech car maker in India follows on from the success of the first-generation Octavia. Between November 2001 and October 2010,the Octavia inspired Indian customers and 44,900 Octavias were bought during this period alone. “At its premier in 2001, the first Octavia redefined its segment in India,” says Vahland. To date the car has enjoyed cult status in India. It owes this to its perfect engineering, commitment to quality and style as well as the combination of functionality and technology. This has ensured that ŠKODA has become a multi award-winning top brand in India.

The new ŠKODA Octavia is being produced at the Indian ŠKODA factory in Aurangabad, where the Superb, Yeti and Laura are already being manufactured. The Octavia is a key product in the largest model campaign in ŠKODA’s corporate history. This campaign lights the way as the manufacturer continues on its path to growth. The ultimate aim of this growth strategy is to increase annual sales worldwide to at least 1.5 million vehicles per year.

ŠKODA has been present on the Indian market since 2001. In 2012 the brand increased their sales in the country by 14.2% to more than 30,000 vehicles. In the first seven months of 2013 alone, the Czechs sold 13,800 vehicles in the subcontinent. This means that around 178,300 ŠKODAs were delivered to Indian customers between 2001 and the end of July 2013.

ŠKODA AUTO India:

ü  Has been operating in India since November 2001 as a subsidiary of ŠKODA Auto a. s. Czech Republic which is one of the oldest car companies in the world and headquartered in MladáBoleslav

ü  ŠKODA Auto India has 5 models on sale in India – ŠKODA Superb, ŠKODA Laura, ŠKODA Fabia, ŠKODA Yeti and the ŠKODA Rapid

ü  ŠKODA Auto India has a network of 100 outlets across the country and has sold over 1,79,223 units since November 2001

ü  It has set up a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Shendra near Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

ü  For more information please visit www.škoda-auto.co.in