New Delhi: Skoda Auto India is set to re-launch its premium sedan, the Octavia, in a sportier RS variant, as confirmed by a senior company executive on Thursday. The Czech automaker intends to introduce the Octavia RS as a fully-built unit (FBU) in limited quantities, with bookings starting next month and deliveries anticipated in November. The Octavia, which was Skoda’s first model in India, was discontinued in 2023.
Ashish Gupta, Brand Director for Skoda Auto India, emphasized the model’s importance in the company’s history: “25 years of Skoda’s legacy in India has been defined by one car with which we started our journey in India, and that’s the Octavia. So what better way to celebrate the unique 25-year legacy in India of the Octavia but with the pinnacle of Skoda’s engineering, and that is the Octavia RS.”
Pre-booking Begins Soon
Pre-booking for the model will commence on October 6, with only 100 units slated for import this year. Gupta clarified that there are currently no negotiations for local assembly or parts operations in India. The Octavia RS will be imported under the GSR 870 rule, which mandates compliance with UK or Japan specifications. “Our cars are UK spec, but made in the Czech Republic,” he noted.
Discussing sales performance, Gupta reported a significant increase, stating that the automaker sold 46,600 vehicles by August, up from approximately 35,000 during the same period last year. Having previously held less than 1% market share in the domestic passenger vehicle segment, Skoda aims to double its market presence in India.
In an unrelated development, Nissan is advancing its self-driving technology to revitalize its struggling automotive sector. A recent demonstration showcased a Nissan Ariya sedan efficiently navigating downtown Tokyo’s challenges. Armed with multiple advanced sensors, including 11 cameras, five radars, and a next-generation LiDAR unit, the vehicle autonomously managed typical traffic scenarios, such as stopping for red lights, pedestrians, and surrounding vehicles at intersections. Nissan projects that this autonomous system will be commercial-ready by 2027.
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