Škoda Starts Production of the Rapid in India

The new model has great importance for the Škoda growth strategy, with which the company wants to increase its worldwide sales to at least 1.5 million vehicles per year by the year 2018.

The Rapid, manufactured in Pune, is a car built in India and for India. With a length of 4.39 meters, a width of 1.70 meters, and a height of 1.47 meters, the vehicle is positioned between the models Fabia and Laura/Octavia. It will ensure the brand’s future presence in the largest vehicle segment of the Indian market.

The Rapid is available with a gas engine and a diesel engine, each with a manual transmission as well as with an automatic gearbox. The gas engine is a 1.6 liter engine with 77 kW (105 hp). The turbo diesel with common rail technology also has a displacement of 1.6 liters and puts out 77 kW (105 hp).

The Volkswagen plant in Pune was commissioned in 2009. Following the Fabia, the new Rapid is the second vehicle of the brand produced at the plant. Besides the facility in Pune, Škoda also produces vehicles in its plant in Aurangabad in the region of Maharashtra, India. The models Superb, Laura, and Yeti are built at that site.