Rumour: Skoda planning sub 4-metre sedan

The market for sedans less than four metres in length is booming in India, thanks to the Government’s policy of levying a substantially lower excise duty on them (12%) than those longer than four metres (27%). Maruti Suzuki and Honda offer the Dzire and Amaze, respectively, in this segment. Other manufacturers like Hyundai, Ford and Tata are getting set to enter the segment as well. Now, according to a report by Economic Times, Czech carmaker, Skoda is eyeing the segment too.

The sub four-metre Skoda sedan is likely to be based on the Fabia-Rapid platform and will be produced at the company’s Aurangabad facility. It will be India-specific and Skoda’s first compact sedan globally. Details regarding the car’s launch or specifications have not been disclosed.

Skoda has launched the new Octavia last year and the facelifted Superb a couple of days ago. The Yeti facelift is expected to be launched later in the year. However, none of these vehicles is a mass-market competitor. The Rapid is the cheapest Skoda model on sale, but it is over four metres in length. With Skoda’s sales falling at an alarming rate, a compact sedan might be exactly what the company need to turn its fortunes around.