What happened to Skoda Superb??

Revvmaster · 14th June 2005, 14:13

The Elantra-Accent and Octavia-Superb story have proven something in our country. In the above 5 lakh segment, leave alone the Mercs and other high end brands, if you launch the less expensive variant first (Accent launched before Elantra, Octavia before Superb), the chances are that the higher end car won't set the sales charts afire. The reasons could be psychological at best

The Superb is a great car, suffers from what most people believe isn't the price to pay for it. Neither has Skoda attempted to spend much time or money in pushing it. As Rtech says, it is to showcase to the Indians that Skoda can very well build High-end luxury cars as well. Sales should remain a fraction till such time.

Revv

Deeps · 15th June 2005, 16:30

I've seen only a handful of SUperbs even here in Europe. It doesn't sell here exactly for the same reason as why Marutis don't sell fro more than 6L. People don't want to buy a cheap VW at that price, they'd rather have something more prestigious.

ajmat · 15th June 2005, 17:01

The superb was created for the same reason that the ambassador survives over here = Ministers (Czech) and Taxis - it is simply a rebadged long wheel bas VW Passat that is made for the chinese market

ST7677 · 15th June 2005, 17:13

Actually speaking, there are lot of people who would have bought Superb had a diesel version been launched in India...

Let's not forget, it is the TDI engine which made Skoda a success in India and not the Petrol engine. Even with the new 1.8Turbo engine, the TDI engine sells more than all petrol variants combined. Very unfortunate that the Skoda didn;t understand this and missed the opportunity.

With launch of New Octavia, which resembles the Superb even more, the sales of Octavia will get hit even further...

Abhay · 17th June 2005, 11:46

Yep all valid reasons above why we dont see that many Superbs....
Funnily I saw 2 cars today at the same time which I have hardly ever seen on the road...
I was behind a black Superb and an Elantra was coming from the other side......:-)

navin · 17th June 2005, 12:15

If the Superd had be launche with a Diesel Engine (the 1.9TDi would not have ben able to pull it) it might have stood a chance against the Accord V6. In short the V6 ate it!

GTO · 17th June 2005, 12:28

Agreed with ST7677 - A diesel variant would have helped matters for the Superb.

I remember a conversation with a sales manager of a Mumbai dealership. Apparently no one really walks in to a Skoda showroom asking for a Superb. But if they see a high profile customer for an Octavia, they just push him into paying a million more and going for the bigger brother.

GTO

merve_extreme · 17th June 2005, 15:56

Because they both look so similar that no one really knows that it is a Different car.i think in India the market for skoda ends at 15-18Lacs,same for Honda,Toyota.......Above 20Lacs it is Merc,Audi,BMW territory,i:e if u leave aside the Landcruisers and Prados.

nitrous · 17th June 2005, 18:45

Mindset of Indians:

one can always buy a poor quality , high prestige car :"MERCEDES BENZ".

but not a high quality, lower prestige car: "SKODA"!!

14th June 2005, 14:13	#16
Revvmaster Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,190 Thanked: 96 Times	The Elantra-Accent and Octavia-Superb story have proven something in our country. In the above 5 lakh segment, leave alone the Mercs and other high end brands, if you launch the less expensive variant first (Accent launched before Elantra, Octavia before Superb), the chances are that the higher end car won't set the sales charts afire. The reasons could be psychological at best The Superb is a great car, suffers from what most people believe isn't the price to pay for it. Neither has Skoda attempted to spend much time or money in pushing it. As Rtech says, it is to showcase to the Indians that Skoda can very well build High-end luxury cars as well. Sales should remain a fraction till such time. Revv
	() Thanks

15th June 2005, 16:30	#17
Deeps Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Delhi/Noida Posts: 1,119 Thanked: 170 Times	I've seen only a handful of SUperbs even here in Europe. It doesn't sell here exactly for the same reason as why Marutis don't sell fro more than 6L. People don't want to buy a cheap VW at that price, they'd rather have something more prestigious.
	() Thanks

15th June 2005, 17:01	#18
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15,022 Thanked: 29,462 Times View My Garage	The superb was created for the same reason that the ambassador survives over here = Ministers (Czech) and Taxis - it is simply a rebadged long wheel bas VW Passat that is made for the chinese market
	() Thanks

15th June 2005, 17:13	#19
ST7677 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,054 Thanked: 73 Times	Actually speaking, there are lot of people who would have bought Superb had a diesel version been launched in India... Let's not forget, it is the TDI engine which made Skoda a success in India and not the Petrol engine. Even with the new 1.8Turbo engine, the TDI engine sells more than all petrol variants combined. Very unfortunate that the Skoda didn;t understand this and missed the opportunity. With launch of New Octavia, which resembles the Superb even more, the sales of Octavia will get hit even further...
	() Thanks

17th June 2005, 11:46	#20
Abhay BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 727 Thanked: 11 Times	Yep all valid reasons above why we dont see that many Superbs.... Funnily I saw 2 cars today at the same time which I have hardly ever seen on the road... I was behind a black Superb and an Elantra was coming from the other side......:-)
	() Thanks

17th June 2005, 12:15	#21
navin Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25,290 Thanked: 9,457 Times	If the Superd had be launche with a Diesel Engine (the 1.9TDi would not have ben able to pull it) it might have stood a chance against the Accord V6. In short the V6 ate it!
	() Thanks

17th June 2005, 12:28	#22
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,298 Thanked: 307,497 Times View My Garage	Agreed with ST7677 - A diesel variant would have helped matters for the Superb. I remember a conversation with a sales manager of a Mumbai dealership. Apparently no one really walks in to a Skoda showroom asking for a Superb. But if they see a high profile customer for an Octavia, they just push him into paying a million more and going for the bigger brother. GTO
	() Thanks

17th June 2005, 15:56	#23
merve_extreme Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,359 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	Because they both look so similar that no one really knows that it is a Different car.i think in India the market for skoda ends at 15-18Lacs,same for Honda,Toyota.......Above 20Lacs it is Merc,Audi,BMW territory,i:e if u leave aside the Landcruisers and Prados. Last edited by merve_extreme : 17th June 2005 at 15:58.
	() Thanks

17th June 2005, 18:45	#24
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 329 Times View My Garage	Mindset of Indians: one can always buy a poor quality , high prestige car :"MERCEDES BENZ". but not a high quality, lower prestige car: "SKODA"!!
	() Thanks