Date:14/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/01/14/stories/2005011401580200.htm

Back Skoda launches turbo version of Octavia Rider

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Jan. 13

SKODA Auto India today said it plans to roll out two new offerings - Fabia and Octavia II - and start exporting its Octavia range to the neighbouring countries this year.

"Both Skoda Fabia and Octavia II are expected to hit the Indian roads around October 2005," the Skoda Auto India Managing Director Mr Imran Hassen, said here at the launch of the turbo version of Skoda Octavia Rider, sporting a price tag of Rs 11.03 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Mr Hassen said Octavia II would be based on the A5 platform against the existing Octavia, which is on the A4 platform. "It will be a bigger car than the present Octavia and will consequently be priced higher. In addition, we plan launches of new technology in the Indian market every 2-3 months."

The new models/variants that Skoda India plans to introduce this year includes a station wagon variant of the Octavia, and a diesel variant of the Superb.

"To cope with this increased demand we are planning to expand the production capacity from the current 15,000 vehicles. The amount of new capacity will depend on which technologies we finally decide to introduce in the market. We could look at expanding capacity to a level of about 25,000-30,000 units, " he added.