The Skoda Yeti, is the new SUV vechile from Skoda. According to the resources the Czech car company is intially launching a 2 liter diesel version of the the car in the company which will be followed by the petrol and other low powered versions. Though the company has still not yet disclosed the price of the car it is extimated to be about Rs 14-17 lakhs. The vehicle, which was launched in the global markets around five months back, was also showcased at the just-concluded 2010 Auto Expo.
An extremely buoyant Reinhard Fleger, Member of the Board, Sales and Marketing, Skoda Auto, stated, “The Indian automobile industry continues to be among the most promising car industries across the globe and it shall continue to grow in the coming year backed by an estimated GDP growth of about 7 per cent. Skoda has a share of around 25 per cent in the mid size segment where we have operated since the last 9 years. We have aggressive plans for the Indian market and aim to emerge as a major player in the Indian automotive industry’s growth story. The Yeti is an integral aspect of this plan. ”
Speaking at the unveiling, Thomas Kuehl, Member of the Board, Sales & Marketing, Skoda Auto India, said, “The highly agile Yeti is compact, attractively styled with excellent handling characteristics and is bound to create a stir in this segment with the potential of having a cult following. The 4×4 variants are also characterised by outstanding off-road capability and excellent traction. These, coupled with superb emission values and low fuel consumption meet the needs of a socially acceptable SUV. I am very confident that the Yeti, with its intrinsic Skoda values combined with our growing network expanse across India, will fuel fresh energy in this segment contributing to the overall growth. We hope Yeti will help us capture 10-15 per cent share in the SUV market. Overall, we are doing exceptionally well. Globally, India will emerge among top five markets for us from the 11th position now. Initially, the top-end variant would be made available in India followed by more engine and model options.”
“Globally, we have 1.2 litre and 1.8 litre petrol versions and a 2.0 litre diesel variant of Yeti. The company is currently evaluating the technical and commercial feasibility of the vehicle in India and we have the option of bringing in both the versions in India as we launch the vehicle in the second half of 2010,” Ashutosh Dixit, senior general manager (marketing), Skoda Auto India told reporters recently. He added, “We are expecting 33 per cent jump in sales next year at 20,000 units as compared to 15,000 units in 2009 and Fabia is expected to constitute nearly 10,000 units as we enhance the production of the vehicle from an average of 800 units now to 1,200-1,500 units next year, depending on the growth of top-end category in the compact segment,” Dixit said. The company has shifted the production of Fabia to its Chakan plant where the vehicle shares the assembly line with Volkswagen Polo.