Car News in India

Czech car maker Skoda, a part of automobile conglomerate Volkswagen, on Thursday said it aims to sell 25,000 units of its compact car ‘Rapid’ in 2012 in India.

"We had launched Rapid in late 2011 and we are confident of selling 25,000 units this year," Skoda CEO Winfried Vahland told reporters at New Delhi.

The Rapid is being manufactured in the company’s plant in Pune.

The company sold a total of 30,005 units across all segments in the country in 2011, up 50 per cent over 2010. It sells Fabia, Laura, Superb and Yeti in India.

According to the company, its market share in India grew to 1.31 per cent in 2011. Globally, the company sold 875,000 vehicles in 2011, up 15 per cent over 2010. Under its 2018 growth strategy, the company aims to increase its global sales to 1.5 million units per year.

"In our view, the largest potential is mainly in growth markets such as India, Russia and China," he said.

Vahland added that the company’s plans are focused on the Indian market. "We are putting our gas foot down in India and are set to keep raising our sales here," Vahland said.