<p>A part of auto conglomerate Volkswagen, the company's wholly-owned subsidiary Skoda AutoIndia expects the Rapid to become its best-selling car in the country, surpassing compact car Fabia's numbers.<br /><br />"India is a very important market for us. There was a gap between our compact car Fabia and the sedan Laura. To fill that gap, we have launched the Rapid in the C segment," Skoda Auto India Marketing Head Tarun Jha told reporters here.<br /><br />The car to be available in both petrol and diesel variants will be powered by 1.6 litre engine. It is based on group firm VW's Vento platform.<br /><br />Talking about sales expectation, Skoda Auto India Associate Director (Sales and aftersales) Ashutosh Dixit said: "We are targetting to sell more than 2,000 cars every month. The C segment is likely to grow at above 5 per cent this year."<br /><br />Skoda expects more demand for the diesel variant as there is huge difference in fuel price with petrol.<br /><br />While the petrol variant of the Rapid will be available between Rs 6.75 lakh and Rs 8.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the diesel model is priced at Rs 7.95 lakh to Rs 9.19 lakh (ex- showroom Delhi).<br /><br />The company had earlier said that it may start exporting cars manufactured in India to global markets in future, starting with its new Rapid.<br /><br />"This car is specifically designed for India and the launch will be the global launch for the car. At a later stage, it may be introduced in different markets across the world," Jha had said.<br /><br />He stated that Skoda may export the Rapid to some neighbouring countries later. The company currently does not export any of its models from India.<br /><br />Talking about sales, Jha said: "It may become the best-selling car for us in India. It may be a game changer for us." Skoda's current best-selling car is Fabia with about 1,200-1,500 units every month.<br /><br />The petrol variant of Rapid is pitched against the Honda City, while it will be Hyundai for the diesel variant.<br /><br />The company is also increasing its dealership network to meet the possible increased demand of the Rapid.<br /><br />"Currently we have 82 dealerships and it will be increased to about 100 by the end of this year. Next year, we will add another 20 outlets," Jha said.<br /><br />The company will target mainly Tier-II and III cities for expansion of its dealership network, he added.</p>
<p>A part of auto conglomerate Volkswagen, the company's wholly-owned subsidiary Skoda AutoIndia expects the Rapid to become its best-selling car in the country, surpassing compact car Fabia's numbers.<br /><br />"India is a very important market for us. There was a gap between our compact car Fabia and the sedan Laura. To fill that gap, we have launched the Rapid in the C segment," Skoda Auto India Marketing Head Tarun Jha told reporters here.<br /><br />The car to be available in both petrol and diesel variants will be powered by 1.6 litre engine. It is based on group firm VW's Vento platform.<br /><br />Talking about sales expectation, Skoda Auto India Associate Director (Sales and aftersales) Ashutosh Dixit said: "We are targetting to sell more than 2,000 cars every month. The C segment is likely to grow at above 5 per cent this year."<br /><br />Skoda expects more demand for the diesel variant as there is huge difference in fuel price with petrol.<br /><br />While the petrol variant of the Rapid will be available between Rs 6.75 lakh and Rs 8.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the diesel model is priced at Rs 7.95 lakh to Rs 9.19 lakh (ex- showroom Delhi).<br /><br />The company had earlier said that it may start exporting cars manufactured in India to global markets in future, starting with its new Rapid.<br /><br />"This car is specifically designed for India and the launch will be the global launch for the car. At a later stage, it may be introduced in different markets across the world," Jha had said.<br /><br />He stated that Skoda may export the Rapid to some neighbouring countries later. The company currently does not export any of its models from India.<br /><br />Talking about sales, Jha said: "It may become the best-selling car for us in India. It may be a game changer for us." Skoda's current best-selling car is Fabia with about 1,200-1,500 units every month.<br /><br />The petrol variant of Rapid is pitched against the Honda City, while it will be Hyundai for the diesel variant.<br /><br />The company is also increasing its dealership network to meet the possible increased demand of the Rapid.<br /><br />"Currently we have 82 dealerships and it will be increased to about 100 by the end of this year. Next year, we will add another 20 outlets," Jha said.<br /><br />The company will target mainly Tier-II and III cities for expansion of its dealership network, he added.</p>