Skoda Auto to launch Roomster next year  ( February '7,2006, FE)

Skoda Auto India is planning to launch its multi purpose vehicle Roomster, by the middle of next year, said Lukas Folc, managing director, Skoda Auto India.

“By mid-2006, the Roomster will be launched in Europe and within a year’s time we will launch the vehicle in India,” he said addressing a press conference here on Monday. But the Indian customers have to wait for atleast 3-4 years for MPV Yeti to be launched, said Mr Folc. He also remained non commital on the launch of the much awaited Fabia car in India. The company has set a target of selling 13,500 cars in the country this year. Last year Skoda India sold around 8,900 units.

“After the launch of Fabia, our sales would touch the 50,000 units sales mark, of which 30,000 units will be contributed by Fabia alone and 20,000 units by our existing three models.

By 2009, we should touch the 1,00,000 sales mark”, Mr Folc observed. As an effort in the direction, the company is planning to increase its dealer network from 41 dealerships to 51 by the end of the year. Skoda India is also in the process of setting up dealerships and undertaking brand building efforts in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal as it plans to export Skoda cars from India to these markets. “ The export numbers would be a few hundreds to begin with”, Mr Folc said.