Škoda Auto has launched varants of its Octavia model designed specifically for the Chinese market at the Beijing motor show.
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A co-operation contract between Škoda Auto and Shanghai Volkswagen was signed on 11 April 2005 and work commenced in March 2006 with the official establishment of a OCAL dealer network for SVW Škoda.
Octavia production will commence early in 2007 at Shanghai Volkswagen, followed later by assembly of the Fabia and Superb model lines.
Sales and service will be provided through an exclusive dealer network now being developed.
In Beijing, Škoda also showed the new Roomster, Octavia vRS and Scout, the Superb L&K, the Yeti design study and a classic Superb 3000 as part of a display illustrating the Czech automaker’s long history.
Škoda Auto chairman Detlef Wittig said: “We regard China as being one of the strategic markets for the future development of the Škoda brand. With the official presentation of the Octavia model and with the pending production start, a new position for the brand in China is being created.”
The licensed production in China is part of Škoda’s ongoing growth strategy, complementing existing assembly projects in the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, India and, in the near future, Russia.
The implementation of this growth strategy, including vehicle production in China, is a key step towards establishing Škoda as a high volume international manufacturer.
In 2006 Škoda expects to supply more than 530,000 vehicles to customers in over 90 markets worldwide.
