ŠKODA starts production of the new Octavia in India

Today sees the first of the latest generation of the ŠKODA bestseller roll of the production lines at the Indian plant in Aurangabad; launch on the Indian market in autumn. The new ŠKODA Octavia boasts lots of room, high functionality, incorporating the latest technology and is also fantastic value for money. “The new ŠKODA Octavia is now being produced at purpose-built facilities in one of the international growth markets. By far our most important model in the Indian market is also an engine of growth for ŠKODA,” says ŠKODA CEO Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. The third generation is the largest, most practical, safest, most comfortable and environmentally friendly Octavia ever. The Octavia boasts unrivalled space, a timeless and elegant design, high functionality, innovative safety and comfort systems, economical consumption, many Simply Clever ideas and typical ŠKODA value for money. The car is in a class of its own and offers mid-class qualities for the price of a compact car. “The new Octavia is a great car with a timeless and elegant design with the more space than the competition, high functionality, paired with better quality and excellent value for money that meets the needs of Indian customers perfectly: lots of space, modern design, excellent quality and advanced technology at an affordable price,” says Werner Eichhorn, ŠKODA Board Member for Sales and Marketing. With the launch of the new Octavia, the Czech car maker in India follows on from the success of the first-generation Octavia: Between November 2001 and October 2010, the Octavia inspired Indian customers and 44,900 Octavias were bought during this period alone. “At its premier in 2001, the first Octavia redefined its segment in India,” says Vahland. To date the car has enjoyed cult status in India. It owes this to its perfect engineering, commitment to quality and style as well as the combination of functionality and technology. This has ensured that ŠKODA has become a multi award-winning top brand in India. The new ŠKODA Octavia is being produced at the Indian ŠKODA factory in Aurangabad, where the Superb, Yeti and Laura are already being manufactured. The Octavia is a key aspect in the largest model campaign in ŠKODA’s corporate history.  This campaign lights the way as the manufacturer continues on its path to growth. The ultimate aim of this growth strategy is to increase annual sales worldwide to at least 1.5 million vehicles per year. ŠKODA has been present on the Indian market since 2001. In 2012 the brand increased their sales in the country by 14.2% to more than 30,000 vehicles. In the first seven months of 2013 alone, the Czechs sold 13,800 vehicles in the subcontinent. This means that around 178,300 ŠKODAs were delivered to Indian customers between 2001 and the end of July 2013. Source: skoda-auto