Skoda MissionL concept provides glimpse at Czech automaker's future
Tue, 13 Sep 2011
The Skoda MissionL is expected to slot in the lineup between the Fabia and the Octavia, models North Americans know best Volkswagen Polo and Jetta derivatives. The automaker plans to launch its MissionL first in India, with units arriving there by the end of 2011. After that, Skoda will provide the MissionL to markets in Europe, Russia and China sometime in 2012.
Skoda is using the MissionL concept to provide hints at the styling direction for future Skoda models. These new models are stepping stones that the automaker will have to land on as it attempts to hit a heady 1.5 million global sales by the year 2018.
ŠKODA PRESENTS MISSIONL IN FRANKFURT
ŠKODA reveals its MissionL design concept at the Volkswagen Group evening
The concept car is a nod towards the brand's upcoming models
ŠKODA continues to grow in the second half of 2011
Frankfurt, 12 September, 2011 - The Volkswagen Group evening, held at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show, was the venue for the world premiere of ŠKODA's design concept, MissionL.The close to production ready concept car offers a glimpse to the Czech carmaker's new compact model which will be launched in Europe, Russia and China in 2012. Deliveries to customers in India will commence late 2011.
"This premiere kicks off ŠKODA's model offensive for the coming years," said ŠKODA Board Chairman Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. "This new compact model, along with other new products to follow, will enable us to accomplish our goal of increasing global annual sales to 1.5 million vehicles by 2018. We are going to present a new car approximately every six months over the next few years."
"We have taken a very pure approach to this design study – we have structured the surfaces simply, but impressively," says ŠKODA Board of Directors Member for Technological Development Eckhard Scholzabout the philosophy of MissionL. "The car has a strong, sporty look which conveys a beautiful simplicity and a youthful and contemporary appearance. Many people look for clean, minimalistic lines, and the MissionL concept offers all that," adds Eckhard Scholz.
The model offensive will support ŠKODA's strong growth aspirations. Sales grew by 18.3 % to 583,600 vehicles over the first eight months of this year. January-August sales in China grew by 29.2% alone (148,862 vehicles). In Russia, sales for the first eight months of the year totalled 43,604 vehicles. During the same period India sold 18,980 vehicles, representing a growth of 50.4% when compared with the same period of last year.
"One year after the launch of out 2018 growth strategy, we can say we are on the right course," said Vahland. "We have laid the foundations for ŠKODA's product offensive at IAA. The extension of our product portfolio will help us increase the speed of our growth in the coming years."
By Jeff Glucker