In an interview, Skoda head Werner Scholz announced the company's plans to expand its model range. According to him, the lineup will include a full-fledged SUV, surpassing the Yeti model in size. This vehicle is seen as key for both the Chinese and European markets. Also in the plans is the release of a more classic minivan, which will be larger than the Roomster compact van.
The top manager did not disclose detailed technical specifications or the timing of these new products. However, he emphasized that the Czech brand will not simply create rebranded versions of existing concern models, such as the Volkswagen Touran or Sharan. Scholz noted that when developing new Skoda cars within the VW Group, the company always follows its own path. He cited only the compact models Citigo and Fabia as exceptions, which require the participation of a major partner in development and production to ensure profitability.
The presentation of the new compact city car Citigo took place on Wednesday, September 28. This model is an analogue of the Volkswagen up!, differing from it in the design of the front and rear of the body. It also became known that next year this car will appear on the Russian market. The official premiere of Skoda's most compact model will take place in August 2012 at the Moscow Auto Show, with order acceptance starting in September.
Earlier it was reported that another new product would be a budget car created in the style of the MissionL concept, which was presented in mid-September at the auto show in Frankfurt. The production version, which is expected to almost completely replicate the prototype's appearance, will be produced in two body types: a sedan-liftback and a hatchback. For the Russian market, production of this model will begin in 2013 at the Volkswagen plant in Kaluga. In Europe, production will start a year earlier.
Skoda's development strategy involves launching one new model every six months. Scholz promised that all these cars will have an affordable price and low operating costs. The Czech manufacturer aims to increase annual global sales to 1.5 million cars by 2018. For comparison, in 2010 the company sold 762 thousand cars.
