ŠkodaPortal.cz Simply clever

Mladá Boleslav/Kaluga, 3 February 2014 – ŠKODA is picking up the pace in Russia. The ŠKODA Rapid is now running off the production lines at Volkswagen's Russian plant in Kaluga, with the launch on the Russian market set for the end of April. This marks the entry of the ŠKODA compact saloon into one of the most important growth markets in the world. The ŠKODA Rapid has won over consumers with its generous space, excellent value for money, comprehensive safety features, timeless design and economical engines.

"Having sold over 130,000 of these vehicles so far, the 'new class' of ŠKODA has been a great success," says ŠKODA AUTO CEO, Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. "Through starting production in Kaluga, the Rapid has been launched in our third-strongest market worldwide. ŠKODA plans to grow substantially in Russia over the coming years and the ŠKODA Rapid is a cornerstone in ŠKODA's growth strategy."

The ŠKODA Rapid complements the ŠKODA model range between the ŠKODA Fabia and the new ŠKODA Octavia. With its compact dimensions (4.48 meters long, 1.70 meters wide), the ŠKODA compact saloon offers outstanding interior space and plenty of room for the driver, four passengers and all their luggage. There are also numerous 'Simply Clever' solutions and comprehensive safety features at outstanding value for money.  "With these characteristics, the ŠKODA Rapid meets our Russian customers' requirements perfectly," says Miroslav Kroupa, Regional Manager of ŠKODA Russia.

By launching the production of the ŠKODA Rapid, the Czech manufacturer plans to continue the brand's promising development in Russia. In 2013 ŠKODA delivered 87,500 vehicles to Russian customers. The ŠKODA Rapid is the second of ŠKODA's production launches in only a few weeks. In mid-February, the manufacturer began producing the completely revised ŠKODA Yeti at Nizhny Novgorod – ŠKODA's second manufacturing site in Russia alongside Kaluga.

The ŠKODA Rapid was developed as a global project for use worldwide. At the end of 2012, the compact saloon was launched as what was then ŠKODA's sixth model range in Europe. The compact saloon is now also produced and sold in China and India. More than 130,000 ŠKODA Rapids have been sold across the globe to date (as of 31 January 2014). The introduction in Russia marks another milestone.

The ŠKODA Rapid is an important cornerstone of the most comprehensive model campaign in ŠKODA's corporate history. In the coming years, the manufacturer plans to increase sales worldwide to at least 1.5 million vehicles a year. ŠKODA will be presenting a new or completely revised model every six months on average.

In 2013 alone, the Czechs brought out eight new or completely revised models. At the same time, with sales of 920,800 new vehicles, ŠKODA AUTO achieved the second-best sales year in corporate history. 2014 will see the next stage in ŠKODA's model and design campaign.  The spectacular 'ŠKODA VisionC' design concept will highlight the dawn of the brand at the Geneva Motor Show, which opens at the beginning of March.

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