Skoda Auto India has rolled out its 100000th Rapid unit at its Volkswagen Group production plant in Chakan, Pune. The auto manufacturer shares platforms and plants with Volkswagen India. The Skoda Rapid 100000th sedan is finished in celebratory flash red. It wears the Monte Carlo badge alluding to Skoda’s Motorsport Heritage, and Rallye Monte Carlo.
The marque was in use in the 1930s for Rapid (Type 901) and in the 1980s for its rear engine Rapid Coupé. Skoda Rapid was introduced in India in November 2011. As it stands, Rapid for India is developed for the local market.
For Skoda Auto India, the Rapid gave the auto manufacturer a new lease of life with a new vehicle in the popular C segment. Having dropped the Fabia from its lineup, Rapid is in fact the company’s entry level car. And thereby, its volume boosting entry level price point offering.
Staying true to the larger products on offer, shares emotive crystalline design cues. No doubt, over the vehicle’s’ ongoing lifecycle, Skoda Rapid has proven to be a bestseller for the manufacturer in India. Skoda Rapid 100000th unit, a Monte Carlo brings together premium, luxury and glamour in the lap of racing sports styling.
In the longer run that focuses on future prospects, Skoda is depending on its India 2.0 Project. For this, Volkswagen Group announced an investment of Rs 8,000 crore (EUR 1 billion) in July 2018.
A Technology Centre was inaugurated in Pune in January 2019.This heralds the start of product development basis the VW Group’s sub-compact MQB-A0-IN platform, which is designed to meet the needs of Indian customers. In the future, Skoda India cars will target upto 95 percent localisation levels of up to 95 percent. Once domestic targets are in reach, Skoda India Volkswagen Group will analyse the prospect of exporting vehicles built in India.
Zac Hollis, Director – Sales, Service and Marketing, SKODA AUTO India said “The RAPID continues to offer a compelling combination of the brand’s emotive design, exquisite interiors, leading safety as well as intelligent connectivity features. The production milestone is a testament to its strong equity among discerning customers in a dynamically evolving automotive market like India. With this accomplishment, we commit a stronger product portfolio and enhanced ownership experience – ascertaining, PEACE OF MIND comes standard with a SKODA.”
