SKODA GROW THEIR MODEL LINE UP AND THEIR UK SALES
12 March 2006 - Skoda

Skoda will be introducing their fourth model line to the UK this year. The Roomster a compact MPV will go on sale from November

For Skoda, part of the Volkswagen Group, the Roomster marks a new chapter in car design and construction and it sees the manufacturer move into a new market segment for the first time.

Six Roomster models were recently premiered at the Geneva Motor Show. To exhibit as many models, said Škoda, shows the breath of choice that will be available in this new range. The Roomster is based upon an MPV concept car first shown by Skoda at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The new B-segment compact MPV uses the front chassis from the Skoda Fabia and the rear section from the platform of the Skoda Octavia linked by a unique centre section making the wheelbase longer than the Octavia. This is the first time any member of the Volkswagen Group of car companies has embarked on a “modular strategy” as it has been called.

This engineering design will save time and money and it could be adopted by other brands in the group, Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT and possibly Bentley.

Skoda say the unique seating arrangement provides for two to five seats to be utilised and for them to be folded flat or removed to maximise loadspace. The raised position of the rear passenger seats and large windows in the rear passenger doors combine with a panoramic sunroof for good visibility, providing a feeling of airiness and spaciousness, hence the name Roomster.

Roomster will arrive in Britain in November and Skoda believes it will sell 800 over the last two months of this year with 6,000 sales next year, 15 per cent of their annual total UK sales. Skoda expects the Roomster to appeal to customers buying in the lower-medium and smaller MPV sectors where it will compete against established models such as the Renault Scenic, Fiat Multipla, Honda FR-V, Ford Fusion, Golf Plus, Vauxhall Meriva and Zafira.

Skoda say the Roomster will be equipped with four airbags and five three-point retractor seat belts. It will be the first in the segment to have ‘Curve’ halogen headlights and fog lights with ‘Corner’ function. Both petrol and diesel engine options will be available, the latter with a diesel particulate filter. There will be Classic, Style and Sport versions.

Cathie Bell, head of press and PR for Skoda Auto in the UK, said, “The sales of Roomster will be modest but significant. We are growing towards a 2 per cent share of the UK new car market but we will do that in a sustainable manner.”

“Last year our UK sales grew by 8 per cent in a market that was down overall by 5 per cent. In the first two months of 2006 our sales have continued to grow and we have sold over 17 per cent more new vehicles, even though the market is down by almost 10 per cent.” she added.

“With the arrival of the Roomster we will have our fourth model line, all achieved within a decade. Nine years ago we had one model, we will now have four and we will have five when the production version of our latest concept vehicle, the Yeti, goes on sale in the next few years,” said Bell.

Miles Better News Agency

www.skoda-auto.com

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