VW hopes Skoda sales to be Superb

• Source: Shanghai Daily
• [08:20 August 19 2009]
• Comments

Volkswagan AG yesterday launched a sedan aimed at the mid-to-high class market under its Czech brand Skoda in China as it taps the fast-growing brand to boost sales and to compete better against General Motors and Toyota.

The German car maker will produce the Skoda Superb, a flagship model of the Skoda family, in its Chinese venture, Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co.

The mid-to-high class sedan, available in a 1.8-liter or 2.0-liter engine and six-speed transmission, will be sold between 179,900 yuan ($26,319) and 250,900 yuan.

"It (the Superb) completes Skoda's product portfolio in China and plays an important role in lifting the brand image," said Zhang Hailiang, sales and marketing executive director of Shanghai Volkswagen. "It also helps to boost the overall market competitiveness of Shanghai Volkswagen."

Skoda's expanding product line-up is also part of VW's strategy to double Chinese sales to 2 million units by 2018. The Wolfsburg-based car maker is counting on rapid expansion in emerging markets to challenge Toyota as the world's biggest car maker.

Fu Qiang, Skoda's marketing and sales deputy executive director, said the Superb competes with GM's new Lacrosse, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord in the mid-to-high class segment.

There were 59,000 Skoda cars sold in China last year and Fred Kapler, a board member of Skoda, forecast that China may overtake Germany as its biggest market in 2010 with a six-digit sales volume.

Skoda will also expand its dealership to 230 stores in China this year, according to the firm.