The Hindu Business Line : Skoda to launch two Octavia versions

SKODA is all set to launch the latest version of Octavia, which made its international debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, during the middle of next year in India.

In a few weeks from now, the Czech-based carmaker will also launch Octavia Blitz, the sports edition of the model, in the country. This will be the first turbo petrol version to be launched in India and will be positioned at the top-end of its segment.

The 2005 model of Octavia, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, will supplement the existing Octavia, and will be positioned at the top end of its segment, the Skoda Motor India's Manager (Marketing), Mr Shashank Vaid, told Business Line.

The new Octavia was designed at the tech centre at Mlada Boleslar in the Cezch Republic, Mr Vaid said.

According to auto analysts, the Octavia unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show is a Jetta-sized version of Volkswagen's most popular platform and offers a direct shift gearbox with both automatic and manual gear selection, giving better fuel economy.

The latest Octavia shares an all-new chasis with the latest version of the Golf, and a multi-element rear axle. The new model is built on the experience gained from within the Skoda rally team and from the VW parent group. It is offered with petrol engines with modern direct-injection technology as well as turbo-diesel engines based on pump-nozzle injection systems.

The petrol version comes in the 1.4 lt, 1.6 lt and 2 lt capacities while the diesel version 1.9lt and 2 lt engines.

Skoda had earlier said the company expects to increase its sales to around 8,500 units during the current calendar year from 4,656 in 2003. The dealership network too will be increased to 42 from 35.

Skoda Auto has set a sales target of around 40,000 cars by the fifth year with the local content in Skoda models expected to go up to 60 per cent from 42 per cent currently.

At present, Skoda carries out CKD operations at its new plant in Aurangabad, which was inaugurated in February.

Skoda is also gearing up to make fresh investments in its Indian operations as most of the investments worth around $56 million, which was earmarked up to 2007, has nearly been exhausted.

Skoda plans to move towards manufacturing the entire car in its plant in a phased manner. Once the sales touches the 40,000 mark, a paint shop and a body shop will be set up.

The automaker also plans to unveil a high-torque low emission "pumpe duse" (PD) diesel engine which gives increased mileage. The extremely fuel efficient engine can give up to 26 km per litre. Some of the new models such s Superb is expected to have the PD (unit injector) engines and compete with the common-rail direct injection (CRDi) engines popularised by Hyundai.