Skoda Auto India, a fully owned subsidiary of Skoda Auto Czech Republic, will be launching its much anticipated model Skoda Fabia Scout in the month of August in India. The company also reported a significant growth of 98% for the month of July 2011 over the same period last year.
Being the highest selling car of all the variants of Fabia hatchbacks available around the world, it is offered with a 1.6 litre petrol and diesel engine in the UK. There are speculations that the new Skoda Fabia Scout to be launched in India would feature a 1.2 or 1.6 litre engine. However, the company has not come up with an official verdict on the specifications and the price range of the model.
The Fabia Scout is expected to offer space and versatility, which are important considerations for Indian customers. With space for five people and ample of leg room as well as head room, the Fabia Scout will be an ideal car for the Indian users. After its launch in India, Skoda Fabia Scout will join the likes of the Mahindra Xylo Mini MPV and Premier Rio. Moreover, the total sales for July 2011 for Skoda Auto India stood at 2412 units, against 1222 units for July 2010.
Thomas Kuehl, Board Member, Sales and Marketing, Skoda Auto India said, “Despite tough market conditions, we have managed to record a healthy growth rate. Our emphasis on quality and superior technology helps create a distinct identity for our products. With our continued focus on customer experience, dealership network and improved after-sales experience, we are sure to maintain a healthy growth rate going forward. ”
Skoda is emerging as a popular global automobile company and has gained trust of several customers across the world. The company is planning to introduce two more models this year for its European customers. All the launches would include petrol as well as diesel variants. Skoda Fabia UK has won numerous awards, such as the 2010 Caravan Club, 2001 Top Gear, 2005 Auto express and the Scottish group of motoring. Furthermore, Skoda was voted as the most popular manufacturer in Britain by a British news website called ‘Mailonline’. There were four models of Skoda that ended up in the top ten lists in the most satisfying models category.
Besides, the Czech manufacturer aims to earn double of the sales it is earning now, in the near future. The company aims to produce a total of 1.5 million units in a year globally. Nevertheless, Skoda is looking towards Indian market to contribute a considerable share to its global sales figures.
Experts believe that, if Skoda India launches the Fabia Scout model with a diesel engine and price it competitively, the Scout would certainly find plenty of eager Indian buyers. They feel that though Skoda India does have the 1.2 litre TDI diesel engine lined up for launch, the 1.6 TDI diesel engine producing about 105 bhp would be better suited for Scout as the smaller diesel engine would be underpowered on the highways.
