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By
ALISTAIR KENNEDY
26 March 2006
After nearly 25 years off the Australian automotive scene, and a
number of false re-starts, the former Czech-based car maker Skoda is set
to return here later this year adding yet another brand to the already
crowded local car market.
Skoda, now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the giant Volkswagen
group, was formed in 1905 and sold cars in Australia on and off
between 1949 and 1983.
One of the two models which will spearhead Skoda return is the
company’s longest running nameplate, the Octavia, so named
because it was the company’s eight post-war model.
Interestingly, Octavia first went on sale in Australia in 1960
shortly before the arrival of the Ford Falcon so when it does
return it will have the longest time span of any car on the
Australian market. A fairly hollow achievement given that Falcon
has been on sale continuously since 1960 while Octavia was
discontinued in 1966.
Currently Skoda’s biggest selling car with over 270,000 units
sold worldwide, Octavia will be imported to Australia in both
sedan and wagon form.
The second Skoda model to go on sale here will be the Roomster,
a compact people mover.
Skoda cars are currently sold in over 90 countries, with
production plants in seven countries around the world employing
more than 27,000 people. Last year worldwide sales were almost
550,000, an increase of more than 11 per cent over the previous
year, a sales record for the brand.
While those with long memories will recall quality issues with
the old Skoda brand, now being under the Volkswagen umbrella, we’d
be surprised if the new Skodas are anything but high quality
vehicles. We look forward to driving the new models when they
arrive and will report on them at that time.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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