Skoda India is all set to work on its India 2.0 strategy under which the Czech manufacturer will launch several new models along with revamping the dealership network among other things. The company has now been merged with Volkswagen India and now it works as a single entity. With all these strategic developments in place, the latest news now is that Skoda will launch 4 new models in India before the end of 2020. The same was revealed by Zac Hollis, director, sales, service and marketing, Skoda Auto India Pvt Ltd while he spoke to livemint.
The four new cars we are talking about here are the Kamiq, Karoq (both SUVs), new Octavia, and the new Superb sedan. During the interview, Zac spoke about bringing four more new cars by end 2020, expanding the reach before India 2.0 cars come in; revise Skoda’s aftersales strategy for India, focus on SUVs to fuel future growth, dealer profitability and others. He added:
It is important that we keep the brand alive in the minds of the consumers and similarly, we have to give a clear business case to the dealers before the India 2.0 cars come in 2021. So we are launching five more cars including the Kodiaq Scout between now and the time when the India 2.0 cars come in. So four more new cars will come before the end of 2020 to keep the brand alive and make it financially viable for the dealers.
Among the four upcoming cars, some have already been revealed in the international markets and are on sale too. The current-gen Octavia proved to be a decent seller for Skoda India and therefore the company is likely to launch it in India soon. According to the latest inputs, the Skoda facelift will be launched on November 11 in Prague. This means that Skoda is likely to unveil the model in India during the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo with a launch following in the subsequent months. The car is based on an updated version of the MQB platform and features several design tweaks to make it look more modern. Skoda could also bring a mild hybrid powertrain to India apart from the regular engine options.
Coming to the Skoda Superb, the luxury sedan is likely to be launched sometime in between 2020. The new version of this luxury sedan features a sharper body design along with upgraded interiors. The engines are also boosted but it remains to be seen if Skoda continues with the same engines here or brings a few new options too. Talking about the Kamiq and the Karoq, both of them are SUVs with the former being a Hyundai Creta rival and the latter a Hyundai Tucson and Jeep Compass rival. Expect both of them to be showcased at the 2020 Delhi Auto Expo.
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