Post the termination of partnership plans with Tata Motors, Skoda intends to develop an all-new affordable car for developing markets like India.
Skoda, a Volkswagen Group subsidiary, is on a roll in India with a number of launches already lined up. The Rapid Monte Carlo was launched this week and the 7-seater SUV Kodiaq is expected to hit our shores in the next couple of months. Meanwhile, the Octavia maker is aiming to produce an affordable car for developing markets, after its proposed partnership talks with Tata Motors came to an end.
Earlier this year, the two auto giants had signed an MoU to share technology and resources to jointly develop new products. The partnership would have allowed Skoda to utilise Tata’s AMP (Advanced Modular Platform) for its future products, including an all-new budget car.
In our market, the small car would mark Skoda’s second attempt in the affordable car segment after the Fabia. Essentially, the new car is being readied for evolving markets like India post which it could be introduced to the Brazilian and Iranian public. Expected to make it to production by 2020, the new offering might utilise the MQB-A platform.
The Octavia RS will be launched this month and Skoda plans to bring the Yeti-replacement Karoq in 2019. While standing true to its premium image is appreciable, it is the affordable car segment which will give Skoda the much-needed volumes in India. The company has been missing from India’s budget car scene for a while now, which makes us look forward to Skoda’s new attempt with high hopes.
Skoda Small Car
– Skoda plans to bring new small car on its own
– Budget car to be developed for evolving markets like India
– Expected to hit the markets by 2020
– Since Tata’s AMP could not be utilised, Skoda might stick to the MQB-A platform
