The Skoda Auto is firm on retaining its brand positioning in the luxury segment despite such claims from VW. According to the GM(sales & Marketing) of Skoda, the company doesn’t want to dilute the position in India and is not in a bid to get identified in the mass segment. Skoda likes to have an individual identity for its own by providing quality of unique value proposition. This does not purport to the association with VW, he said. As a measure of consolidation, the company has initiated boutique outlets to retail its products, differing from the conventional dealership showrooms.
These outlets, novel in cities, will display lifestyle combined with contemporary ambience fascinating the customers, he said further. 15 new such outlets will be opened in select cities in India this year and this will take the net outlets to 75. Skoda outlets will deal with merchandise and followed by genuine accessories. The target for 2010 is 20000 units from 15000 units of 2009, by adding new model Yeti SUV to its portfolio during the second half of this year. This Yeti, to be assembled at Aurangabad unit, will get the power of 2.0lit diesel engine. Skoda’s current range in India consists of Skoda Superb, Skoda Octavia, Skoda Laura and Skoda Fabia.