Skodas - Objects of Desire in India

[manyu]

(except the Fabia... 1.2MPI!)

well have a look at other small hatchbacks in the indian car market, most on them are 1.1l or less :/

they are quite prestigious cars in india.
my dad used to drive the "laura" 6sp manual 2006.
he liked the car soo much that he came here and bought a superb DSG

skodas in India are cheap luxury. except for the fabia which is an expensive luxury hatch when compared to the local market.

[Jake02]

I was watching a few more videos on the Tube from India and man they hold Skodas in high regard! The Fabia is the best in the class but it's a little more expensive than the rest so the next best is held as best (but they say if you spend more it's worth it). They introduced the 1.4 petrol and it does 0-100 in 17 seconds . The Laura really hauls it though, especially in 1.8TSI spec - you can get one for the same price as a 1.8 litre Civic (no comparison really!). The Superb is above all too. The Yeti is being introduced there next month and they're getting the 2.0TDI only (which is a lot better than what the reviewers expected) so I think it'll do really well there. One day Skoda will be held in such a high position here!

[dArK5HaD0w]

the fabias r manufatured in india, one of VAG's many plants - VW to Hire 1,300 Workers at India Plant, Add Polo Car (Update1) - Bloomberg

[brad]

1.8TSI is a bad thing for India IMO. Fuel isn't up to spec i believe - or possibly PULP isn't readily available outside main cities.

[kenvik_7]

I agree with you to an extent Brad, but over the years I've seen a lot of the fuel stations outside the main cities (especially in Northern & western India) having 95 or 98 octanne fuels. Indians have started enjoying european cars and are demanding better fuel quality, and hence have started getting what they need, but agree not in all parts, but then again not parts of India have that kind of money to enjoy these cars. Don't know about low sulphur diesels though.

As for Indians (including me)...we love our Skodas, but I think the key reason for that was because VW decided to launch its lower price brand in India (about 10 years back) rather than directly launching Audi and VWs. Skodas could directly compete with Honda and Toyota who also had started launching their popular sedans and 4Wds in late 1990s. But one thing to note is that all imported cars (Japanese or European) have such a hefty import duty that only the upper middle class or the rich can enjoy these cars, and hence owning even a 'luxury' hatchback such as Fiesta or Jazz or Fabia is a BIG THING!

As for a Skoda Laura being the same price as a Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla...I think its a joke. Skoda is so much more refined and balanced as compared to a Toyota Corolla. Unfortunately its all about perception and brand snob value in India, and the Japanese have been in India a lot longer and hence established their name there. Also I would say over 80% of the people have never even looked what sort of an engine lies under the bonet. All are interested in the music system, the number of speakers and the total RMS watts, and the size of the mag wheels....and again the Japanese learnt quite early in the game about how to please us Indians with their big sound systems, mp3 connectivity and flashy rims, which the European brands have just finally started providing!
cheers

[brad]

thanks for the info kenvik.
I was just going off a few posts from disgruntled gentlemen from the sub-continent that i read when i first got my car in 2008.

[kenvik_7]

Thanks for listening Brad.

[manyu]

Also I would say over 80% of the people have never even looked what sort of an engine lies under the bonet. All are interested in the music system, the number of speakers and the total RMS watts, and the size of the mag wheels....and again the Japanese learnt quite early in the game about how to please us Indians with their big sound systems, mp3 connectivity and flashy rims, which the European brands have just finally started providing!
cheers

exactly :O
i've driven a Honda city for 1 and a half year in India and i've only had to open the bonnet 3 times. Even that is out of curiosity just to see what is driving the car. All i ever cared about was how the car LOOKED.

But its quite a shame that Superbs here don't even have a manual option.