On the back of its announcement confirming the Czech brand will enter the Sri Lankan market, Skoda Auto is also evaluating importing models made under its India 2.0 plan to that South Asian country. This means that the production-spec Skoda Vision IN SUV and the next-gen Rapid sedan – both of which will be produced at Skoda India’s Chakan plant and are underpinned by the heavily localised MQB A0 IN platform – are under consideration. If given the green light, the SUV and sedan (along with its siblings from Volkswagen, the Taigun and next-gen Vento), would only arrive in Sri Lanka after late 2021.
In the meanwhile, Skoda will offer the Fabia hatchback, the Superb sedan, the Karoq midsize SUV and the seven-seat Kodiaq SUV, when it begins operations in May 2020. The brand’s bestseller, the Octavia executive sedan, will be added to the range later this year. Skoda Auto will be collaborating with IWS Automobiles as importer and trading partner – the Sri Lankan firm will be importing the aforementioned models direct from the Czech Republic.
According to Skoda Auto CEO Bernhard Maier, “Further internationalising our brand and conquering new markets are central areas of action laid out in the Skoda Strategy 2025. By re-entering the Sri Lankan market, we are taking the next step in raising Skoda’s position worldwide.”
Customers can order the first vehicles from the beginning of March 2020, and the first deliveries will be made when the new showroom opens in May.
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Skoda aims for 95 percent localisation of India 2.0 models