› ŠKODA Rapid in world debut on eve of Mondial de l’Automobile
› Market launch in Europe from October 2012, versions for China and Russia to follow
› ŠKODA ignites next stage of model offensive
› ŠKODA’s fair presence in Paris spreads across 2,050 sqm in pavilion 4
Paris, September 26th, 2012 – Bienvenue ŠKODA Rapid! Tonight, ŠKODA introduced its new compact saloon to the public for the first time at Volkswagen Group Night at the Paris automobile salon. The ŠKODA Rapid’s world debut at the Mondial de l’Automobile marks ŠKODA’s ignition of the next stage in the largest model offensive in the company’s history. The model will be introduced in European markets from late October and will also be marketed in China and in Russia.
At the presentation on the eve of the Mondial de l´Automobile in Paris, ŠKODA CEO Winfried Vahland said this about the importance of the ŠKODA Rapid for ŠKODA’s 2018 growth strategy: “The entire team has worked on the new ŠKODA Rapid with dedication and passion. The result is a real ŠKODA with all the good qualities of our brand: lots of space for the whole family, more functionality, proven technology, outstanding design and an excellent price. It is these values that let this car set new standards in its class. It is ŠKODA’s new class. The car will become our second-strongest volume model after the Octavia and permanently strengthen ŠKODA’s position on the world’s markets,” says ŠKODA’s CEO.
The Rapid shown at the Group Night for the first time in Ambition trim line impresses with an attractive candy-white finish and black roof and a sports features including red sports seats providing hold for occupants in any driving situation. “Ray” two-tone 17-inch wheels underscore the car’s dynamic character.
The ŠKODA Rapid complements ŠKODA’s model palette between the smaller ŠKODA Fabia and the larger ŠKODA Octavia. Its extremely generous space offering makes the ŠKODA Rapid the new benchmark in the segment. No other car in the segment offers as much leg and head room and as ample baggage space (550 litres). Says CEO Vahland: “The Rapid is an extremely flexible featuring estate-car qualities thanks to its boot and foldable rear seats. We are certain this car will provide a percetible impetus to the compact saloon segment especially in Europe.
Its flexible space offering make the Rapid a ŠKODA in the best sense of the term. Among other things, this is down to many new ideas with the “simply clever” aspiration. The car offers a total of 19 “simply clever” solutions, including a feature as practical as an ice scraper inside the fuel filler flap.
In safety, the ŠKODA Rapid impresses with a comprehensive active and passive safety equipment. The ECS (Electronic Stability Control) system is standard for EU countries. The engine range in Europe includes four petrol and two diesel engines. From launch, five especially efficient Green tec variants will be available. Also, the ŠKODA Rapid is the brand’s first series product ever to feature the new ŠKODA Design: attractive, modern, clear, precise and timelessly elegant.
In launching the ŠKODA Rapid and other new and revise models in the years to come, ŠKODA aims to continue growing strongly on international markets and raising global sales to at least 1.5 million per year by the year 2018. Says CEO Vahland: “We are on a stable growth course as we have managed to increase our deliveries to customers by 8.5 per cent to a new record of 633,300 in the first eight months of this year despite a challenging economic climate. Our growth strategy is bringing tangible results.”
To achieve its growth goals, ŠKODA has initiated the greatest model offensive in its 117-year corporate history. In the years ahead, the company will be introducing a new or revised model every six months on average. Besides its European home market, ŠKODA will be especially relying on growth markets such as Russia, India and China. The ŠKODA Rapid will be launched in China in the course of 2013. From early 2014, the new compact saloon will also run off the line at Volkswagen’s plant in Kaluga, Russia.
ŠKODA at the MONDIAL DE L’AUTOMOBILE 2012 IN PARIS:
› ŠKODA location: pavilion 4, stand 215
› ŠKODA stand area: 2,050 sqm
› Press days: September 27th – 28th, 2012
› ŠKODA press conference: September 27th, 2012, 9:35 a.m.
› General public days: September 29th – October 14th, 2012
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