ŠKODA Auto India, a completely owned subsidiary of Volkswagen, reported a growth of 60 per cent for the month of March 2012, as compared to corresponding period of 2011. The overall sales of ŠKODA India were marked at 4822 units for March 2012, whereas the sales of same period in 2011 were 3009 vehicles.
Mr. Thomas Kuehl, Brand Head - ŠKODA Auto India, Member of the Board, Sales & Marketing, said, “Globally, 2011 has been an exceptional year for ŠKODA and India has played a key role in that growth and will continue to contribute to the global growth and development of the brand. The surge in sales within the Indian market is further testament to the strong values and aspiring image the brand commands in India. The Rapid continues to be the bestseller which is an important element of the growth strategy in India and globally.”
The success of ŠKODA in the Indian auto market is basically driven by its new launch Rapid, a saloon, which was also an important part in the annual press conference held in Prague on March 21st 2012. Since ŠKODA Auto made its debut in the Indian auto market over a decade back, India is considered as a pivotal place by the company for its business activities. In ŠKODA’s “2018 Growth Strategy”, the company intends to expand its share in the global market to a minimum of 1.5 million units each year.
During March, the company hired Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH), a well known advertising agency to expand its creative communications approach. As an element of the consent, BBH now holds the authority to handle corporate initiatives, entire car portfolio and new launches of ŠKODA. The car portfolio of ŠKODA Auto in Indian market incorporates Fabia, Yeti, Laura, Superb and the newly introduced Rapid.
In order to mark its presence among a large section of customers throughout the country, ŠKODA Auto is planning to expand its after-sales service and dealership network. In the current scenario, the company has based around 100 dealerships in the Indian market.
ŠKODA made its debut at the Indian market in November 2001, as a completely owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Group. On a global perspective, ŠKODA Auto is counted among the fastest developing car makers in Europe. In India, the company has established a state-of-the-art production unit in Shendra near Aurangabad, Maharashtra, which sprawls around a vast area of 300,000 square metres.
The company has currently introduced its five models in the Indian market, including ŠKODA Superb, ŠKODA Laura, ŠKODA Fabia, ŠKODA Yeti and the ŠKODA Rapid. ŠKODA Auto India has a dealership network of 100 sales outlets throughout the country and has reported total sales of more than 143,163 units since the company’s debut in December 2001. For more information regarding ŠKODA, auto enthusiasts can log on to www.ŠKODA-auto.co.in.
