Skoda has laid out its plans for 2022 and it is aiming to make this year its best in India.
Skoda has been undergoing a big transformation in our market under the group’s India 2.0 plan. This was clear with the launch of the all-new Kushaq mid-size SUV, new Octavia executive sedan and updated Superb luxury sedan last year. However, the Czech carmaker aims to keep up the momentum in 2022, with a further six launches planned for the year with which it is banking on massively increasing its sales volumes.
- Skoda to launch 6 new models, including Kodiaq and Slavia
- Kushaq and Slavia sales expected to be around 2,500 units monthly
- Sales network set to expand to 140 cities and 225 touchpoints
Skoda to launch 6 models in 2022
One of the key announcements made today is that Skoda plan to launch six models (some new models and some variants) over the course of 2022. We know the updated Kodiaq is set to arrive of January 10, with the all-new Slavia (the Rapid’s replacement) set to follow in March. A new-top-spec Kushaq Monte Carlo trim is also set to launch this year. The remaining three models/ variants have yet to be announced.
Speaking to the media, Zac Hollis the Director Sales, Service & Marketing, Skoda Auto India confirmed that they won’t be bringing any units of the new Octavia vRS to our market this year. He also stated that a new model based on MQB A0-IN platform is also in development, but it won’t be launched this year.
Skoda expects over 70,000 cars sales in 2022
The carmaker has also stated its plans to triple its 2021 sales figures in 2022 with the total annual sales figure expected to be around the 70,000-unit mark. Skoda will be targeting to sell 2,500 units of the Kushaq and Slavia each, every month – making these two models its biggest contributors clocking in roughly 60,000 units sales over the year. Even the upcoming Kodiaq is expected to achieve 100 units sales a month.
Speaking to Autocar India, Zac Hollis was frank about the ambition for their premium SUV saying “Yes you are right, we know we are entering a segment where diesel has a significant share and thus obviously we will only be looking at the sales from the petrol segment, and targeting about a 100 units per month.”
Skoda aims to expand sales network & Certified Pre-owned brand
Besides this, Skoda also aim to expand their sales network with the objective of providing coverage to 140 cities in India (compared to the current 117) and growing from 175 to 225 touchpoints by the end of the year (over 25 percent growth). Over 60 of these will be in rural areas and will follow the brands recent ‘compact’ workshop format. This will also be accompanied by a reduction in service costs – greatly helped by the over 90 percent localization of its volume models (the Kushaq and Slavia).
Additionally, the carmaker also wants to build upon its ‘Certified Pre-Owned’ by incorporating the service in all of Skoda’s outlets in India.
Skoda aims for a small increase in corporate sales
In the 2020 to 2021 period, Skoda has already witnessed a 127 percent growth in its corporate saes number owning to various tie-ups with banks and financial institutions. In 2022, Skoda will hope to continue this growth trajectory though by increasing sales with companies instead of fleet buyers.
Given that companies leasing cars generally have a higher predisposition towards sedans, this works in Skoda’s favour, as it will have a well-spaced out sedan line-up.
Zac Hollis further added. “We have always been known to build great sedans and this will continue in this year, and our sedans have always been seen as very good luxury cars that offer great value, and are thus a great buy for corporates.”
