Rumour: Skoda mulls Rapid-based hatchback for India

The Observer · 28th September 2014, 14:16

If not the new Fabia? then what?

Read in The Hindu Business Line yesterday that Skoda is applying brakes on its investment plans here due to policy uncertainties.

“There are issues the business community faces, such as technology transfer agreement. For example, the Fiat case (payment of excise duty on the discounts) and the recent order by the CCI are making global automakers rethink their plans to further invest in India,” Sudhir Rao, Chairman and Managing Director, Skoda Auto India, told reporters here."

The article also says they will however keep launching newer models :

And, therefore, Skoda Auto, which has invested around €750 million in India, does not plan to invest further in the immediate future. However, the company will keep launching newer models in the country and continue its research and development projects.

“We have engaged Mahindra Engineering Services to help us with engineering aspects to create a design which is simpler and works in India and also matches Skoda specifications,” Rao said

I guess they are taking the India specific design philosophy and this matches with the news that they are planning for a new hatchback that is not the Fabia, meanwhile we know MES is also working on their Rapid facelift (with the new Skoda front grille et al). Waiting for the test mules to hit the road

Link to the news article :

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...cle6446633.ece

vb-saan · 28th September 2014, 15:18

The end product probably maybe something in the lines of the Figo - an India specific hatchback with a generation (or two) old underpinnings.

28th September 2014, 14:16	#16
The Observer BHPian Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Bangalore Posts: 208 Thanked: 332 Times	Re: Rumour: Skoda mulls Rapid-based hatchback for India If not the new Fabia? then what? Read in The Hindu Business Line yesterday that Skoda is applying brakes on its investment plans here due to policy uncertainties. “There are issues the business community faces, such as technology transfer agreement. For example, the Fiat case (payment of excise duty on the discounts) and the recent order by the CCI are making global automakers rethink their plans to further invest in India,” Sudhir Rao, Chairman and Managing Director, Skoda Auto India, told reporters here." The article also says they will however keep launching newer models : And, therefore, Skoda Auto, which has invested around €750 million in India, does not plan to invest further in the immediate future. However, the company will keep launching newer models in the country and continue its research and development projects. “We have engaged Mahindra Engineering Services to help us with engineering aspects to create a design which is simpler and works in India and also matches Skoda specifications,” Rao said I guess they are taking the India specific design philosophy and this matches with the news that they are planning for a new hatchback that is not the Fabia, meanwhile we know MES is also working on their Rapid facelift (with the new Skoda front grille et al). Waiting for the test mules to hit the road Link to the news article : http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...cle6446633.ece
	() Thanks

28th September 2014, 15:18	#17
vb-saan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: S'pore/Thrissur Posts: 7,273 Thanked: 12,402 Times	Re: Rumour: Skoda mulls Rapid-based hatchback for India The end product probably maybe something in the lines of the Figo - an India specific hatchback with a generation (or two) old underpinnings.
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