Citigo Is the Newest and the Smallest Car from the house of Skoda

Skoda Citigo is the newest and the smallest car from the house of Skoda. The Czech car maker is gearing up the car specifically for the Indian markets although initially the car was planned for the Europe. The past efforts from the company to break into the compact car segment in the Indian market with the Skoda Fabia was not very fruitful and is now once again planning to gulp up some big volumes by launching the entry level product.

"The Citigo, which is mainly a small car for the Europe, also has potential in a market like India," said the Skoda Auto Global chairman Winfried. Vahland, who was in India to monitor the making of the upcoming entry level sedan Skoda Rapid (inspired from Volkswagen Vento), adding that India remains one of the key markets for the company globally, along with China and Russia.

"We are very optimistic on the Indian market and expect growth rates between 10% and 20% in the coming years."

The Skoda Citigo will be launched in the Czech market in late 2011 and in Europe by the start of summer 2012. The car is yet another proof of the company's policy of value for money brand within the Volkswagen (VW) stable, the Citigo will be a cost efficient car compared to the Volkswagen Up!

Vahland further stated that the Citigo’s entry into India will be more as a supporter to the Volkswagen. "If it makes sense, we will do it together with the group." Reports also reveal that the brand treatment for the Citigo will have the same strategies and synergies to that of the Volkswagen Up! This is expected to be on the roads next year.

Vahland said the company is looking to rake up sufficient sales volume in India. "The Rapid is the first model in this direction and it is the first car from the Skoda brand which has been designed, keeping in mind the special needs of Indian customers. It will be manufactured here."

The Skoda Rapid will make its debut in India in December and will brush shoulders with the likes of Nissan Sunny, Toyota Etios, Maruti Dzire, Ford Fiesta Classic and Tata Indigo Manza. The car will be priced lower than Volkswagen Vento, whose price starts at Rs 7lakh