IndiBlog

Skoda's lying low these days but that's all set to change with the upcoming launch of the Fabia (in hatchback and later sedan version) at the Auto Expo 2008 in January. The Fabia is expected to come in at Rs.6-7 lakh as a premium hatchback above the Swift, Getz, U-VA and at the price point of the Fusion. We dont know if buyers in the hatchback market would be willing to shell out this kind of money for a car which seems very very inspired from the Swift with a cheeky Korean type look upfront (see picture). The car's expected to roll out with a petrol and diesel heart simultaneously. Price wise the Fabia hatch would be head on with the Ford Fusion which doesnt sell in large numbers anyways. The main reason for the high price tag is the low 10 per cent local content which Skoda will begin with and later take it upto 30 per cent by the end of the first year. Production is scheduled to begin by October 2007. When launched in sedan guise the Fabia will compete with the Suzuki SX4, Honda City, Ford's Fiesta and the Hyundai Verna.

Read the scoop we did on the new Fabia in November 2006 (Skoda's New Fabia Coming to India)