Report - Skoda eyeing sub-4m India-specific sedan based on Rapid

12/02/2014 - 11:15 Skoda Fabia, Skoda Rapid, Skoda Anjan Ravi

In the burgeoning sub-4 meter compact sedan segment, which will see Tata, Hyundai and Ford launch new products, Czech carmaker, Skoda, does not want to remain far behind.

The VW-owned company is looking to introduce a sub-4 meter compact sedan based on the Rapid's PQ25 platform, according to a news report on Economic Times. The new sedan would be an India-specific car built at the brand's Aurangabad facility in Maharashtra.

Skoda Rapid side — The new compact sedan will be based on the Rapid's PQ25 platform.

Pawel Szuflak, Skoda India's marketing and sales director, confirmed to Economic Times that different products, including a sub-4 meter sedan, were being considered. Cars under four meters length are eligible for an excise duty of 12 percent, whereas bigger vehicles are levied over twice that figure.

Skoda India launched the Superb facelift earlier this week. In the second half of this year, the refreshed Yeti will be introduced in India as well. Skoda India's current portfolio includes the Superb, Yeti and Octavia in the premium end of the segment, and the entry-level segment only has the Rapid sedan.

While Skoda's overseas range starts from the Citigo (based on the VW Up!), this hatchback has been ruled out for the Indian market as it is too expensive a product for Indian tastes.

The next generation Fabia is to be announced towards the end of this year. Until then, Skoda will have to rely on the Rapid (which is expected to be refreshed this year) to derive its volumes.

[Source - Economic Times]