Skoda focusing on upcoming budget SUV to achieve success in India; will launch a new sedan and a hatchback by 2022
Skoda is eyeing bigger share in Indian market and to achieve that target, the Czech automaker is emphasising n SUVs. The Karoq and another upcoming low-cost SUV is going to play crucial role in Skoda’s future strategy for domestic market. So far, it is clear that Skoda is attempting to encash Indian customer’s demand for SUVs and premium cars.
As we have already reported, Skoda wants to grab 5% market share by 2025. The Volkswagen AG owned brand hopes its budget SUV based on the low-cost Eco platform will become instrumental to become successful here. This SUV will appear as a Hyundai Creta rival with global standard styling and advanced upmarket features. Also, expect this five-seater midsize SUV to be priced competitively against the rivals.
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The new budget SUV from the brand is likely to be launched in the country in 2020. It will not only focus the domestic market, but the overseas markets as well. In that case, Skoda aims to make India the production hub for this SUV. It is expected to be built around 4 lakh units per annum and a large part of that will be shipped to overseas markets.
Following its subsidiary, Volkswagen too is ready to develop its own low-cost SUV. Interestingly, both the Skoda and Volkswagen budget SUVs will share the same powertrain and several other components as well. This way, both the brand will be benefitted with reduced production cost.
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As Volkswagen’s popular tried and tested 1.5-litre EA189 diesel engine is due to be discontinued before 2020, the German brand will introduce a new engine and this would work under the hood of the Skoda’s budget SUV as well. As the Czech brand hints, this SUV could use a modified version of VW’s 2.0-litre EA288 diesel engine. Meanwhile, apart from SUVs, Skoda is also gearing up to introduce a new midsize sedan that will replace the Rapid and a premium hatchback as well. The sedan is likely to arrive here in 2021 and the hatchback will be rolled out in 2022.
Skoda Karoq Gallery
Source: Autocar India