Skoda Auto India, a domestic arm of Czech auto maker and subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, is finding it tough to lure buyers towards purchasing its Yeti model in the country. In order to capitalise on the rapid growth witnessed by the utility vehicle segment, the company is believed to be looking at introducing a new product. The Czech firm is planning to launch a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in the Indian market, so as to complete strongly against the likes of Mahindra & Mahindra, Renault and Tata Motors.
At present, the premium compact SUV Skoda Yeti has been outpaced by Renault Duster and Mahindra XUV500, in terms of total sales recorded in the country. The Yeti model failed to entice domestic buyers due to its high price tag. The upcoming Skoda SUV would sit above Yeti in terms of size and engine specifications, thereby augmenting the Czech maker's product portfolio in the Indian auto market. It is going to be interesting to see how the domestic audience receives the new Skoda SUV, upon its launch. The Duster and XUV500 have been pronounced winners in their respective segments and are recording impressive monthly sales in the country.
The upcoming Skoda SUV could be developed on the critically acclaimed MQB platform, which is designed by the Czech auto maker's parent firm Volkswagen. The SUV could be offered in both petrol and diesel powered options, but industry experts are betting the odds in favour of a diesel version.
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, the country's leading utility vehicle manufacturer, is mulling over the idea of expanding its Xylo Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) range in the domestic passenger car market. The Xylo sales have taken a hit due to Maruti Suzuki's mini MPV Ertiga, which is believed to be the prime reason behind Mahindra's new action plan of bolstering its line up. The upcoming Xylo model would be competitively priced and is expected to incorporate an mEagle engine under its hood.
