Skoda opens dealership outlets in Ahmedabad, Vadodara

Ahmedabad, June 27 (UNI) SkodaIndia, a fully owned subsidiary of SkodaAuto of Czech Republic, today opened its dealership outlets in Ahmedabad and Vadodara.

''SkodaIndia is glad to bring two new dealerships to Gujarat -- Torque Automotive in Ahmedabad and Autogem in Vadodara. With the state being the most industrialised in the country today, we are therefore looking at a bigger market in this part of the region,'' said Karsten Bogun, managing director (commercial) of SkodaIndia.

With these two dealerships, the company now has 17 in the entire western region and has set a target of reaching 58 dealerships in India this year,'' Mr Bogun said.

Revealing the company's expansion plans, he said the company plans to launch a compact car by the end of this year and a hatchback model 'Fabia', which has been well accepted globally.

''With our experience in the car business, we are confident of receiving similar response from the Indian customers as well,'' he said.

In the last five years, SkodaIndia has sold over 43,000 units so far. This year, the compnay has set a target of 17,000 units and has a marketshare of 23.3 per cent in the segment.

SkodaIndia is not only the largest European carmaker in India but also one of the fastest growing automobile brands, Mr Bogun said.

SkodaAuto set up its operations in Aurangabad in Maharashtra in 2001. Its greenfield plant was set up earlier this year in Shendra near Aurangabad. The facility is regarded as one of the best engine assembly plants in Asia. The annual production capacity has been doubled to 30,000 cars, he added.

UNI