Czech auto major Skoda launched an upgraded version of its premium sedan Superb at a discounted price for the Indian market.
The new Superb, of which only one variant will be available now, is priced at Rs. 1.88 million (ex-showroom Delhi), while the older models were priced between Rs. 2.01 million and Rs. 2.27 million.
Skoda India’s board member (incharge of sales and marketing) Thomas Kuehl said the new price positioning was very important for the company in a price-sensitive market like India.
“India is an extremely price sensitive market. One of our challenges was to get the price right so as to make the product a value proposition,” he told reporters at the launch.
Kuehl said Skoda Auto was looking at gaining the top spot in the premium car segment with the new launch. The company expects to achieve a four-figure sales this fiscal for the new variant.
Skoda sold 522 Superb models in the last 11 months. The new Superb comes with a “fuel-efficient” new TSI (Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection) petrol engine.
The auto industry in India and “all of the east” was on the path of revival unlike the developed world and the next few months would bring back the growth momentum, Kuehl said.
Apart from regular Skoda features like a patented twin door boot, the new variant comes equipped with a front and rear parking sensor, pedal shift for the seven-spead gearbox and eight front and rear seat airbags.
7 star experience of the all new Superb
* Design- Distinctive, elegant & captivating exterior design; leather, wood & chrome package.
* Safety- Eight Airbags; Adaptive Front Light System (AFS)
* Comfort- Best in class rear leg room & headroom space.
* Convenience- Touchscreen infotainment system; gearshift controls on steering wheel.
* Twindoor technology
* Engine- TSI (Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection) petrol engine
* Transmission- Seven Speed DSG Automatic
Globally, the Superb has bagged a bunch of prestigious awards in 2008 like the 2008 Golden Steering Wheel (Goldenes Lenkrad) organised by the German-based magazine Bild am Sonntag and the Großen Österreichischen Automobil-Preis organised by ARBÖ every year, where Experts, VIPs and thousands of readers selected the best and most popular vehicles of 2008 from altogether 36 candidates for the year. The car has done Skoda proud with other awards by being claimed the Car of the Year in Czech Republic, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has also been awarded the Most Beautiful Car at Motorshow Katowice, Poland; the Best Company Car in Croatia and the Auto Trophy (Upper class) in Germany.
Source: Economic Times