Skoda Auto India launches new Octavia at Rs 13.95 lakh, to phase out Laura

New Delhi, October 3, 2013: Skoda Auto India has rolled out its new Octavia, the third generation of the saloon, and plans to phase out the existing Laura that is positioned in the same segment once stocks run out at dealerships.

Prices for the new Octavia start at Rs 13.95 lakh for the 1.4 petrol Active, with the top-of-the-line 2.0 TDI Elegance costing Rs 19.45 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The car will be offered in three trim levels: Active, Ambition and Elegance. The 1.4-litre Active, with manual transmission, delivers an ARAI-certified 16.81 kilometres per litre. The Elegance variant, powered by a 1.8 TSI petrol engine and fitted with an automatic transmission, costs Rs 18.25 lakh The diesel range spans a 2.0TDI CR Ambition priced at Rs 16.55 lakh and the AT version priced at Rs 17.55 lakh. The top-end Elegance 2.0TDI CR AT in diesel bears a sticker price of Rs 19.45 lakh.

All variants of the all-new Skoda Octavia will come with features like 16-inch alloy wheels, powered mirror adjustment, power windows, ABS, dual front airbags, traction control, driver's seat height adjust, steering adjust, remote locking and rear air-con vents, among other things. Skoda has discontinued the Laura saloon.

The new-generation Octavia developed in Czechoslovakia will be superior in terms of quality, technology, efficiency and affinity in the segment it operates, said Sudhir Rao, managing director of Skoda Auto India.

The first-generation Octavia launched the Skoda brand in India in 2001 but the saloon was subsequently phased out due to falling sales. “India is a critical component in Skoda’s global plans. The launch of the new Octavia marks a milestone for Skoda India as well as reiterates its strong commitment to the Indian market. We are confident that it will revolutionise its segment compelling customers to expect more. Octavia’s arrival into the Indian market also kicks off a five-year strategy for Skoda which will make the customers the brand’s primary focus in addition to our long-standing reputation for making great products,” said Rao.

Skoda, which is part of the VW Group, plans to strengthen its service and aftersales network across the country but Pawel Szuflak, director, sales and marketing, Skoda Auto India, added that the existing 98 sales and 91 service outlets in India are adequate to meet current needs. The carmaker, which has sold over 180,000 units in India, since November 2011 has a manufacturing facility at Shendra near Aurangabad in Maharashtra which has a capacity of over 89,000 units per annum.

Though the premium car segment has been impacted by the ongoing slowdown, Szuflak said that he expects the recovery to start by mid-2014. The new Octavia, which is built on the Group’s MQB platform and larger and lighter than its predecessors, has received 500 online bookings.

Rao confirmed that Skoda’s plans for a smaller car than the Fabia that continues to sell in the Indian market will continue in the medium and long term in a sustainable manner. Globally, the Octavia has a waiting period of 5 months.

As per SIAM data, during April-August 2013-14, Skoda Auto India sold 8,363 units, a decline of 43.09 percent year on year.

SHOBHA MATHUR

Photograph (L-R): Sudhir Rao, MD of Skoda Auto India, and Pawel Szuflak, director, sales and marketing, Skoda Auto India, at the launch of the new Octavia.