Skoda Auto, the Czech Republic based fully owned subsidiary of the German auto giant Volkswagen, has started production of its upcoming starting range sedan – Skoda Rapid – in the Indian auto market at its Chakan plant, near Pune. The Skoda Rapid will soon be launched in the Indian auto market in the price segment of sub Rs 7 lakh, where it will be competing with the likes of Toyota Etios Liva, Maruti SX4, Honda City, Nissan Sunny, Hyundai Verna, Tata Manza and Volkswagen Vento.
In a recent statement, the firm’s fully owned subsidiary Skoda Auto India said that the Skoda Rapid has been designed and developed while taking into consideration the special needs and requirements of the Indian customers and the car will be exclusively manufactured in the Indian market. The decision of rolling-out the new Skoda Rapid in the Indian market is in-line with the company’s plans of registering a double fold increase in its global sales to 1.5 million units by year 2018.
In a recent statement, Skoda Auto Chairman of the Board of Management Winfried Vahland said, "Effective immediately, the first unit of the Skoda Rapid will be rolling off the line in this plant. The car will be introduced in the market shortly."
The firm’s parent Volkswagen currently manufactures its Polo hatchback and Vento sedan at the Chakan plant, which has an annual production capacity of 1.1 lakh units.
