Škoda drives back Octavia into India, set for Oct launch

Škoda Auto India plans to bring back its high-end sedan Octavia RS to the Indian market next month, shifting gears after the success of its compact SUV, Kylaq.

- SOHINI DAS

Octavia RS pre-bookings start October 6 and deliveries are expected by November 6. The company will import around 100 units this year and evaluate the business case of assembling the car locally later. In the United Kingdom (UK), the car retails at £39,965 (Rs 47.7 lakh), but the Indian price is expected to be higher as it would be a fully-built-unit import.

Ashish Gupta, brand director of Škoda Auto India, told reporters the company plans to use the G.S.R. 870(E) rule to import the cars from the Czech Republic to India. The rule allows vehicle manufacturers in India to import a limited number of completely built vehicles without needing local homologation testing.