Gasgoo.com (Shanghai April 27) - With the success of Audi in China, Shanghai VW is now focusing its localization efforts on its second subsidiary Skoda. According to a report posted on 21cbh.com today, CEO of Skoda Cars Winfried Vahland confirmed on the floor of Auto Shanghai 2011 that the manufacturer would unveil a brand new model situated somewhere between the Fabia and Octavia. What's more interesting, Dr. Vahland (pictured) said that the car would be based on R&D undertaken by Shanghai VW.
Much like the New Passat, whose four year development cycle was handled by Shanghai VW under heavy scrutiny, the new Skoda will be destined for sales both in and out of China. With a bright future in store for the new generation Passat, which, being the largest localization project in China by a international automaker, took a leap of faith for Volkswagen to make, the manufacturer is looking to make a repeat success for Skoda.
In the past year, Skoda has looked to increase its international presence, with hopes to increase its total non-Europe sales volume from 40 percent to 60. Dr. Vahland hopes that by increasing the number of sales outside of Europe, Skoda will double its overall sales volume by 2018, amounting to 1.5 million sales. China looks set to take a more prominent position in the manufacturer's overall strategy, with Dr. Vahland remarking that he expects domestic sales to double. To this end, the new Skoda, alongside the Yeti mini SUV, will begin selling in China in 2013.
