Indian Autos blog

Skoda Auto has increased the production of its star car Fabia from 1000 units to 1200 units a day, reacting to the increasing demand for the small car.

The main reason for the demand for the small car is the launch of car scrappage schemes in most of the European Union countries. Despite the increase in production the waiting time for the Fabia is still rather long.

click through to read more

Note – The Opel Agila is a re-badged Suzuki Ritz/Splash. Opel, General Motors and Suzuki were involved in the development of the vehicle, thus Opel is authorized to sell it in select outlets with its logo.

Italy is in the group of countries which implements the scrappage scheme. Customers looking for a new car can exchange their old scrap car for cars like Opel Agila White Edition which filled with gadgets is value than ever before.

The Opel Agila White edition comes with Electronic Stability Program, traction control system, 4 airbags, climate control, stereo, multifunctional steering wheel and electric rear view mirrors.

This is apart from the white overalls, the reassuring tall boy stance and airy cabin.

Could the Opel Agila White edition prompt Suzuki to launch a Splash White edition?

Hyundai has launched new limited edition models of its i10 and i30 called ES (Extra Special) editions, designed to appeal to scrappage customers of UK.

The two models, according to Hyundai, are meant to cost the same as their respective base versions due to something called Scrappage discount.

What are ‘Scrappage discounts’?

It is a new scheme introduced by the UK government to give a boost to the car industry during the current downturn. The government provides upto £2,000 to those buying a new vehicle to replace a vehicle more than ten years old.

With this in mind, Hyundai has craftily created the attractive ES versions that are based on the entry level cars in the ranges, but add more standard equipment. Doing so, Hyundai lets customers make the most out of the scrappage scheme.

How different is the ES compared to the normal i10?

The i10 ES comes with Classic variant’s equipment including four air-bags, air-conditioning, central locking and front electric windows. In addition, the ES adds driver’s seat height adjustment, remote central locking and colourful inserts on the interior seating, dashboard and door panels. Outside, the i10 ES features body-coloured door handles, body-coloured mirrors and bumper inserts.

Only 1,000 i10 ES and 500 i30 ES edtions will be sold, priced at £7,195 (Rs.5.4Lakh) and £11,795 (Rs.8.8Lakh) respectively. Hyundai will encourage owners to trade into an ES Hyundai i10/i30 by matching the government’s scrappage allowance on eligible trade-ins – making an i10 ES available for just £5,195 (Rs.3.9 Lakh) and the i30 ES for £8,295 (Rs.6.2Lakh).

Will the i10 ES be launched in India?

click through for answer and high resolution images

Here we have an interesting case of a brand doing well in spite of the troubled world auto makers are living in. Czech car maker and VW Group company Skoda, has posted a massive profit (OK, considering the economic downturn witnessed across the planet) of 28.2 million euro in the first quarter of 2009.

Industry experts cite the scrappage scheme adopted by European countries as the prime reason behind the feat. The scrappage scheme has encouraged customers to upgrade to new and economical car with benefits in the form of price cuts offered by governments.

It’s difficult to digest someone’s success which you haven’t tasted. We ask those idiotic bribed industry experts why the other brands have not been so successful? Why haven’t they matched this performance by benefiting from the scrappage incentives?

Car makers have something to cheer about and the people too, as they could buy a car at a price which they have and will not see. We told you about the 500% increase in Renault Logan sales in Germany sometime ago. That was because of the same reason.

Reinhard Jung Skoda Auto chairman-

The first quarter of 2009 was very hard – the impacts of the worldwide economic crisis are also leaving their mark on Škoda. But with our modern and environmentally-friendly products, we have succeeded in expanding our market share in important markets such as Germany and China

Holger Kintscher, Skoda board member-

We know that 2009 will be particularly hard for us as well as for the entire automotive industry. The prospects are still unclear however, and filled with substantial risks. Yet I am convinced that through our Scout profit improvement programme, we will succeed in sustaining our financial strength and stability and even in this period of crisis, achieve a reasonable profit