NEW DELHI: Czech automaker Skoda on Tuesday digitally launched three passenger vehicles for the Indian market — 2020 Karoq, Rapid TSI and Superb facelift. The launches come at a time when sales of passenger vehicles is at an all time low due to disruption caused by Covid-19.

Skoda, a part of Volkswagen Group, said despite short and media term challenges it remains committed to its Project India 2.0 where it aims to sell 1 lakh cars annually by 2025. The group has set a target of capturing five per cent of the Indian passenger vehicles market in the next five years and expand its geographical presence through 120 new dealerships.

“We are getting ready, the Infrastructure is on place and we are bullish on the Indian market. By 2025, we will be selling one lakh cars annually,” Skoda Auto India Brand Director Zac Hollis said. On the current situation, Hollis said that never in the history, the world has faced a situation like this.

“It is difficult now to predict how things will unfold for the industry and its people in the coming months...We need to minimize disruption caused by the pandemic and strive for normalcy at the earliest. In essence we are facing two forseeable challenge — operations and sentimental. The bigger challenge is how to battle out negative sentiments has pulled down the industry over the last two years which is now intensified by the pandemic,” he said.

Hollis also expects demand to pick up around the festive season, i.e.  September-October period of this year. Among the three cars launched, the most talked about is the Karoq SUV which has been priced at
 Rs 24.99 lakh (ex showroom).

2020 Karoq SUV  
Karoq SUV has been priced at `24.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The SUV was showcased for the first time at the Auto Expo 2020. The car is a direct rival to the likes of the Volkswagen T-Roc