Superb Combi, Laura RS, Fabia Sportline & Fabia Greenline showcased alongside the International best seller SUV

New Delhi, Jan 5, 2010: Skoda AutoIndia lifted the veil off its international bestseller SUV YETI for the first time in India at the 10th Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi today. Mr. Reinhard Fleger, Member of the Board, Sales and Marketing, SkodaAuto and Mr. Thomas Kuehl, Member of the Board, Sales & Marketing, SkodaAuto India celebrated the extension of Skoda’s model range to five in India with the unveiling of the soon to be launched YETI.

An extremely buoyant Mr. Reinhard Fleger, Member of the Board, Sales and Marketing, Skoda Auto, stated, “The Indian automobile industry continues to be among the most promising car industries across the globe and it shall continue to grow in the coming year backed by an estimated GDP growth of about 7%. Skoda has a share of around 25% in the mid size segment where we have operated since the last 9 years. We have aggressive plans for the Indian market and aim to emerge as a major player in the Indian automotive industry’s growth story. The Yeti is an integral aspect of this plan.”

Speaking at the unveiling, Mr. Thomas Kuehl, Member of the Board, Sales & Marketing, SkodaAuto India, said, “The highly agile Yeti is compact, attractively styled with excellent handling characteristics and is bound to create a stir in this segment with the potential of having a cult following. The 4×4 variants are also characterised by outstanding off-road capability and excellent traction. These, coupled with superb emission values and low fuel consumption meet the needs of a socially acceptable SUV. I am very confident that the Yeti, with its intrinsic Skoda values combined with our growing network expanse across India, will fuel fresh energy in this segment contributing to the overall growth.”

An impressive front end, with a ribbed grille and friendly looking headlamps confidently demonstrate Yeti’s bonding in the Skoda family. Sturdy flanks and distinct wings give Yeti its robust and solid look. Skoda has met the demands for a cleanly styled body, a high seat position and versatile operating options with a design, which alongwith its sturdiness, exudes lightness. The Yeti meets the needs for environmental care, luggage space, and safety norms.

Yeti’s overall length allows drivers to fit into parking spaces that are far from generous, while its width guarantees that the doors can be opened wide in tight spots. And if the terrain becomes rough and more challenging, the slim stature of the Yeti always finds a gap to get through. The permanent, intelligent, power-distributing four-wheel drive with 17 inch alloy wheels, hill hold and hill start assist with a ground clearance of 180 millimeters makes Yeti fun and dynamic to drive on and off the road.

Other Skoda models on display at Auto Expo 2010:

The current portfolio features the locally produced Fabia Elegance, the Laura Laurin & Klement (Octavia in Europe) trim level, and a Top end Superb with a 3.6 FSI V6 engine and 4WD featuring the 4th-generation Haldex clutch system with the automatic 7-speed DSG gear box.

When it comes to Skoda’s European models, visitors to India’s biggest motor show will be treated to the dynamically tuned Superb Combi Elegance, Fabia Sportline and the environmentally-friendly GreenLine. The Octavia RS with 2.0 TSi petrol engine, offering a generous output of 147 kW (200 bhp), is a reminder of the sports tradition in Skoda’s long history, which stretches back for more than a hundred years.