The Hindu Business Line : Skoda's Superb to hit roads in Jan

SKODA's high-end car `Superb' is all set to hit the Indian roads by January next year with the first of the cars for formalisation expected in a couple of days.

Skoda Auto India's head for sales and marketing, Mr Bipin Datar, told Business Line that the first of the Superbs would reach the country in the next couple of days for formalisation. "We would then be ready for launch with all the network, parts, technically trained and well equipped personnel at the service and showroom so that the buyers get a world class experience," Mr Datar said.

"We will be positioning it just above the Rs 20 lakh segment and give a different perspective to engineering and quality and prove the prowess of the Volkswagen group and Skoda," he said.

Superb is a high technology car, higher than the Octavia and a segment where except Benz no one has ventured, Mr Datar said. Superb is based on a Volkswagen Passat platform and is styled like a bigger, better-proportioned Octavia with better legroom.

Mr Datar said the company was happy with the performance of Octavia in India. There are around 8,000 units of Octavia on road. The network, which was established in November 2001, has 18 full-fledged dealerships with sales, service sand spare parts. There are also 21 satellite points with 12 more being added across the country by December 2003.

Mr Datar said the company decided to go ahead with CKD (completely knocked down) operations much ahead of schedule. It is currently upgrading facilities to cater to the growing domestic demand.

Skoda had earlier committed $56 million in a phased manner over the next three years. "We will also be ready with our new greenfield site in Aurangabad spread over 3 lakh sq mts by January 2004 with an installed capacity to produce 15,000 units," Mr Datta added.

Skoda sold a total of 300 units of Octavia in August while in July it sold 501 units. The numbers dipped in August largely because of the upgradation of the company's factory to CKD operations, Mr Datar said.

"The pending orders are much more and every effort is being taken to cater to the growing demand especially in September and October during the depreciation and festive months," Mr Datar added.

He said the company plans to explore the subcontinent shortly and is studying the market potential of neighbouring countries for export potential.

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