Skoda announces new Slavia sedan for India

The second production model after the recently launched Kushaq SUV from the India 2.0 project spearheaded by Skoda on the Indian subcontinent will be known as the Slavia. 

The new sedan for the A0 segment was named with the earliest days of Skoda Auto in mind.  Starting in 1896, one year after the founding of the company, Václav Laurin and Václav Klement successfully marketed their first, jointly developed bicycles under the Slavia name. 

The new Slavia notchback model, due to be presented later this year, will complement the Octavia and Superb sedans in India. 

In India, Skoda oversees all Volkswagen Group activities as well as the India 2.0 project, with the latter encompassing a model offensive comprising a total of four new cars for the A0 segment.

The Kushaq and the Slavia as well as two Volkswagen models are all based on the MQB-A0-IN version of the Modular Transverse Toolkit, which Skoda has adapted to meet the particular needs of the Indian market. In vehicle production, Skoda achieves localisation of up to 95 percent.

Zac Hollis, Brand Director Skoda Auto ndia, says, “Skoda has a rich global legacy spanning more than 125 years. The Slavia name represents the beginning of a success story that has seen Skoda become one of the most renowned car makers. Rich in tradition, the Slavia name will now once again mark the start of a new era for the Skoda brand, this time on the Indian market. The Slavia will bring forth impeccable build quality, reliability and driving experience. We look forward to substantially growing our volumes in India and the SLAVIA will play a key role in delivering this objective.”

Skoda to up the ante in India
According to Skoda, “The new Slavia will once again be an elegant, powerful and safe saloon car, which is exactly what Indian buyers expect from Skoda.”

This year is one of expansion for Czech carmaker. As part of the India 2.0 project, gthe Volkswagen Group has invested one billion euros in the development of four new vehicles (two Skoda and two Volkswagen models). Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the new Kushaq has had a successful start, with more than 10,000 orders received since its launch in July. Together, the Kushaq and the new Slavia are expected to boost Skoda’s  sales in India considerably.

Skoda saying in developing both models, it has “focused on the expectations of Indian customers, which are changing dynamically. Cost, range and comfort are particularly important considerations.” The brand is also investing in the ongoing expansion of its Indian dealer network and it is currently represented in more than 100 cities, with 165 sales and service locations. The goal is to increase the number of locations to 225 by the end of 2022.

In the April-September 2021 period, Skoda Auto India has sold a total of 12,347 units, which is more than the entire sales in FY2021: 11,319 units.