Skoda eyes 3% share of India market by 2023

NEW DELHI: Czech car maker Skoda Auto is looking to more than quadruple sales in India to corner up to 3% share of the automobile market by 2023.The company, which is leading the charge to turnaround the Volkswagen Group’s operations in India, will bring in a midsize sports utility vehicle and a notchback as per the India 2.0 strategy in 2021 to up volumes, said Zac Hollis, director of sales, service and marketing at Skoda Auto India. Work is also on to double its distribution network to over 100 cities (130 outlets) from 54 cities (63 outlets) now to increase reach and brand accessibility.Skoda Auto India sold 17,244 units in calendar year 2018. “What we are doing in India 2.0 is attack a much bigger segment in the market place. But till then we can’t lose momentum. We will grow slowly. We will bring in SUV Karoq in 2020,” Hollis told ET. “And then grow 4-5X once the products under India 2.0 are up and running.”Mid-term, Hollis said his aim is to prepare the India business to emerge as the fifth largest for Skoda globally. Currently, with annual sales of about 74,000 units, the UK is the fifth largest market for the Czech car maker. “My ambition from India 2.0, when all the products are up and running, is to beat the UK. Skoda India will get into the top 5 markets for Skoda globally. At the moment, we are 13th,” Hollis said.Hollis said a priority area will be to reduce ownership costs and improve customer experience. “We have a perception and image in the marketplace of being expensive to own and our dealers not delivering the best customer satisfaction. My job is to ensure that by 2021, we will deliver the best customer experience in India.”

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