The Czech based car maker, Skoda Auto has been present in the Indian market primarily in the executive and luxury segment sedans. It also added an SUV to its Indian portfolio, the Skoda Yeti. However with the Yeti, Skoda Auto couldn’t capture the SUV market well since the segment has seen increasing demand for such cars both in the Indian automobile market as well as in the global market. With its parent company, Volkswagen developing a strategy of sharing platforms, Skoda plans to bring in 2 brand new SUVs to the Indian market very soon.
Although, much details about the two SUVs remain under wraps, one of the SUVs will be positioned below the Yeti while the other above Yeti. Both the models will be derived on the Volkswagen A0 platform developed specifically for SUVs. The SUV that Skoda plans to position below the Yeti will be based on the upcoming Volkswagen Compact SUV. Both the SUVs are likely to hit the global market in a span of 2 years.
As a Volkswagen strategy, the Skoda models will definitely be slightly cheaper than the Volkswagen siblings. The SUVs are expected to be powered by a 1.5 litre diesel engine with direct injection technology. The SUV going to be positioned below Yeti will definitely go head to head against tough rivals like the Ford EcoSport and the Renault Duster. Both the cars were showcased at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo and are likely to be launched soon in the Indian market.
Source – Autocar India
