Will Skoda Fabia Combi be a game-changer? In a market where station wagons or estates have not been popular, SkodaAuto?s plan to launch Fabia Combi, at a price of point lower than Rs 10 lakh next year in the Indian market comes as a surprise. More so when the company has stopped selling its own brand Skoda Octavia Combi in 2006. Cars in this category have been struggling to make a mark or have discontinued like the Fiat Weekend, Maruti Baleno Altura, Tata Estate and Opel Corsa Swing.
Justifying the move of the company, Thomas Kuehl, member of the board sales and marketing, SkodaAuto, said, ?The practicality and roominess of the Fabia Combi works in its favour.
The Indian consumer has matured over the last few years and we have seen new trends in car buying. The current need is for a compact vehicle that is packed with comfort, performance and quality. In this aspect, the Fabia Combi will be a trendsetter in its class.? The Fabia Combi will be showcased during the Lakme Fashion Week.
The 1.9 litre engine Fabia Combi will be brought in the market as completely knocked down unit (CKD). ?We have already conducted the clinic for Fabia Combi three months back. It will be a CKD here like the Fabia. We see no competing long hatchbacks at the moment so the main competition would be from the three box saloons in this segment,? Kuehl said. Currently, Fabia Combi is sold in the European markets.
?The closest competitor for Fabia Combi will be the Ford Fusion,? said Pinaki Mukherjee, lead analyst, Datamonitor. Indicating that Indian market is predominantly mini- and compact car, Mukherjee said the market is opening up to station wagons. Other cars in this category include Tata Indigo Marina and Chevrolet Optra SRV.
