Czech car maker, Skoda Auto has started production of its Vento-based entry level sedan, the Skoda Rapid from the Volkswagen’s Chakan plant, near Pune. The company, part of VW Group, which is present in India through a wholly owned subsidiary, Skoda Auto India has said that Skoda Rapid is a made for India sedan which will be officially launched very soon.
“Effective immediately, the first unit of the Skoda Rapid will be rolling off the line in this plant. The car will be introduced in the market shortly…,” Skoda Auto Chairman of the Board of Management Winfried Vahland said in a statement.
Skoda Rapid is expected similar equipment levels as on the Vento along with a similar range of engines on offer. 1.6-litre diesel and petrol variants will be available along with possible automatic variants. The front-end is very Fabia-like, along with a tail section that will be more or less identical to the Vento’s rear.
The Rapid is expected to sport a price tag of under Rs 7 lakh and will go all the way up to Rs 9-9.3 lakh, ex-showroom, Mumbai.
Manufacturing of the Rapid will take place at the Chakan plant bringing the price of the car to match the competition. The Chakan plant, near Pune has been set by Volkswagen, which manufactures models, including the Polo and Vento. It has invested 580 million euros on the plant that has an annual production capacity of 1.1 lakh units.
