Skoda’s UK unit yesterday confirmed that the Czech Republic automaker would enter the hotly-contested SUV segment by putting the Yeti ‘concept’, shown at international motor shows last year, into production.
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Skoda UK spokeswoman, Cathie Bell, confirmed the intention to create Skoda’s fifth model line during the launch of the sporty Octavia vRS variant in Barcelona.
She also noted that that Skoda GB bucked the declining British market trend in 2005 to post record sales of 37,803 cars.
“Our 2005 sales were up 8% on 2004, in a market that as a whole fell by 5%,” Bell said, adding that the brand now enjoyed a record 1.6% market share in the UK.
The Yeti concept was unveiled at the 2005 Geneva motor show in March 2005. It immediately attracted favourable attention for its smooth, curvy look, complete with a wraparound windscreen, in contrast to the edgy design of most current SUVs.
At the time, Skoda’s design team described the Yeti as a “positive, friendly object” and said that the vehicle was specifically created to be as suitable for city driving as off-roading.
Skoda has yet to announce production model details or launch timing, but industry observers think the car will appear late in 2007.
Skoda launches its fourth model line, the Roomster mini-MPV, in the fourth quarter of this year, and is also expected to reveal a full redesign of its biggest selling model, the Fabia supermini, in 2007.
Andrew Charman
