Škoda Auto at the Moscow International Automobile Salon 2012

MLADÁ BOLESLAV, CZECH REPUBLIC – August 27, 2012: A strong showing at the Moscow International Automobile Salon (August 29th to September 09th, 2012) underscores Czech carmaker Škoda’s growth ambitions in Russia. On display for the first time in Moscow is the Škoda Yeti Sochi. This special model provides a preview of Škoda’s sponsorship of the 2014 Winter Olympics and will see its sales debut in Russia in 2013. Škoda confirms the market launch of Rapid compact saloon in Russia. The Rapid for Russia will run off the line at Volkswagen’s Kaluga plant from the early 2014. In addition, Škoda presents its current model palette as well as the Škoda Yeti 1.4 TSI in combination with DSG, a seven-speed double clutch transmission.

“Russia is a pillar of our international growth plans and has a central importance for our 2018 growth strategy,” says Škoda CEO Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. “This country is one of the world’s strongest-growing market and offers tremendous potential for Škoda. We intend to resolutely continue our dynamic development of recent years. We will have more capacity in the future so as to further raise our sales in Russia,” says Vahland.

By the year 2018, Škoda aims to raise its worldwide sales to at least 1.5 million per year thanks to a model offensive. This will involve Škoda launching a new or revised model every six months on average worldwide. It is the largest model offensive in the company’s history and is sure to affect the model palette in Russia as well.

The Škoda Yeti Sochi is a reference to the venue for the 2014 Winter Olympics by the Black Sea. Škoda will be participating in this large-scale sports event, for which Volkswagen Group Russia has committed to an automobile partnership. The candy-white Škoda Yeti Sochi special model, shown in Moscow for the first time, impresses with special Winter Games branding, lavish trim, four-wheel drive, powerful engine and automated 6-gear double-clutch transmission. Its 1.8 TSI petrol engine puts out 112 kW. Market launch will be in 2013.

Playing an important role for the brand in Russia will be the new Škoda Rapid. Positioned between the Škoda Fabia and the Octavia, the Rapid is to be launched as the brand’s sixth model line on the Russian market. It will be made at Volkswagen Group’s Kaluga plant from early 2014. Škoda is currently evaluating whether an earlier market launch involving imported cars is feasible.

“The Škoda Rapid sets new standards in the compact saloon segment and is certain to further strengthen our favourable position especially in Russia,” says Vahland. “We are convinced the Rapid will prove extremely popular with Russian customers and become a success in this country. The Škoda Rapid is a roomy, elegant and affordable car for families, impressing with clever solutions, cutting-edge technology and high efficiency,” says Vahland. In marketing the Rapid, Škoda is especially targeting families looking for a roomy, affordable first car in Škoda’s accustomed quality.

Also debuting in Moscow is the Yeti 1.4 TSI DSG. This is the first time ever a combination of a 1.4 litre petrol engine and a double-clutch transmission is available in a Škoda Yeti. This compact SUV shines in its classy black magic “Elegance” trim, impressing with a powerful 90 kW engine and a convenient automated 7-speed double-clutch transmission. It will be launched in Russia in early 2013.

In pursuing its growth goals, Škoda is starting from an excellent base. In the first seven months of 2012, the brand sold more cars in Russia than ever before in a comparable period. Deliveries to Russian customers rose by 41.5 per cent to about 54,700 from January through July 2012, up from 38,700 year on year. This is to say that the company impressively extended its enormously successful development of recent years. From 2005 through 2011, Škoda raised its sales in Russia from 7,500 to 74,100, an almost tenfold increase.