Czech car maker Skoda on Thursday launched the third-generation version of its executive sedan Octavia, the brand with which it entered the Indian market 12 years ago, with a price tag of `13.95-19.45 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Octavia was discontinued in 2010 after Skoda sought to graduate customers to the Laura. This time the company is looking to do a reverse with the Laura facing a gradual phase-out in India.
Skoda hopes the Octavia will usher in a period of success for the company after its small-car Fabia and small sports utility vehicle (SUV) Yeti bombed in the market.
“Octavia’s arrival in India also kicks off a five-year strategy for Skoda, which will make customers the brand’s primary focus in addition to our long-standing reputation for making great products,” said Sudhir Rao, managing director, Skoda India.
Based on parent firm Volkswagen’s MQB platform that will become the bullwark of all its future products and globally encompass all cars, Octavia is offered in three engine options —1.4 and 1.8 litre petrol and a 2-litre diesel — and has both manual and automatic variants.