Skoda

Czech Skoda cars register record sales

It has been little over a decade now that Skoda cars rolled out on the Indian roads. From Skoda’s Octavia to Laura and Superb the fever caught on gradually, but quietly. Little did the owners of Skoda cars in India know of the background and its manufacturers – all that they knew was that the car looked ‘superb’. The price tag did not hinder the growth in numbers and the European brand made a place for itself in the competitive Indian market which was being flooded by other car manufacturers.

Mr. Thomas Kuehl, Director, Sales and Marketing, Skoda Auto India Private Limited, says, “We were the second European brand to enter the Indian market ten years ago.” Skoda was one of the several Czech companies partnering in the ‘Czech Design Week’ held in May in Delhi and Mumbai. The Skoda Director spoke of the auto manufacturer’s commitment to develop comfortable and safe passenger cars. Asked who the nearest European competitors of Skoda in India are, Mr. Kuehl said, “Our nearest European competitor is Fiat. A re-entry of the French makers of Citroen and Peugeot is yet to materialize. Otherwise, Honda and Toyota can be termed competitors in passenger cars. On the growth in numbers, Skoda claims to have done a remarkable job. “over the past four years the sales volume of Skoda has trebled. We have sold 20000 units last year.

The car is being manufactured at its assembly units in Aurangabad and Pune together with Volkswagen,” says Mr. Kuehl.

The Czech Design Week was aimed at promoting bilateral trade between the two countries. As part of the Week, the President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Mr. Milan Stech accompanied by five other Senators, also exchanged views with Indian leaders on further promoting the ties. “This,” he said, “was a reciprocal visit aimed at promoting our old ties further.”

“We see no obstacles in promotion of relations between India and Czech Republic. We will support India in a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union,” he assured. Mr. Stech expressed the hope that the Indian side would ensure suitable climate for functioning of Czech companies in India. The Czech Republic, he added, is open to investments from India. He said that though he was from the “Opposition in the present Czech government, there will be no change in conditions for investors in Czech Republic even if his party came to power.” He said the Czech Republic could provide assistance in transport, railways and engineering to India.

Mr. Milan Hovorka, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Czech Republic, said the Czech Republic and India have a long history of bilateral partnership. From the beginning of 90s it has grown strongly as the two countries are like minded in international and economic issues. “The bilateral trade has increased ten times since 2000 and gone up to USD 1.4 billion now. This trend has to continue. In the first three months of this year the bilateral trade is up by more than 30 per cent. We will be approaching the USD 2 billion target sooner than expected. There is enormous potential for growth. We wish to increase our visibility. We invite Indian investors to the Czech Republic,” Mr. Hovorka said.

Ms. Radka Neumannova, Director, Czech Tourist Authority – Czech Tourism in India, said, “Over 6.3 million foreign tourists come to Czech Republic.” She claimed that the number of Indian tourists has jumped 30 to 35 per cent since the Czech Tourism office opened in India in September last year. She said the agency was making efforts to attract Indian film producers to shoot films in the Czech Republic.

“You will witness and taste Czech cuisine and beer in Autumn this year in India,” Ms. Neumannova said. Mr. Miloslav Stasek, Ambassador, Czech Republic, said the Czech Design Week was aimed at introducing “fresh and modern aspect of our country and to promote legendary Czech design and its famous products such as glass, china, lighting items, jewellery, fashion and car making industry to Indian public and business community.”

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