Škoda will present a world-premier design concept called MissionL at this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show. Close to the final production-ready design, this concept car reveals the look of the ŠKODA's sixth model line that is to become symbolic of the Czech carmaker's planned model offensive.
The new compact five-door vehicle will be launched in Europe, Russia and China. In line with the brand’s internationalisation principles, this compact ‘liftback’ will feature specific modifications in each of these regions. In addition, the Indian market will have its own version, a compact sedan. These steps are in line with the goals of ŠKODA's 2018 growth strategy that were set last year. The brand intends to increase its sales to 1.5 million vehicles by 2018.
“Revealing the look of our new compact model, the MissionL shows exactly the direction our brand is going to take,” says ŠKODA Board Chairman Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. “The world premiere in Frankfurt gives a clear signal that ŠKODA is going full steam ahead now. We are going to present a new vehicle every six months over the next two or three years.”
In line with its 2018 growth strategy, the brand is gearing up, investing heavily in new models, markets and production capacities. Starting in mid 2013, the Yeti will be launched in the Chinese market and will be produced locally. Furthermore, ŠKODA (in cooperation with Shanghai Volkswagen) will produce a new compact model for this market from 2013, increasing the number of models produced in China to five.
The brand will also expand production in Russia through the Volkswagen Group's partnership with the Russian-based car manufacturer GAZ Group. The GAZ plant in Nizhny Novgorod will start producing the Yeti in the last quarter of 2012. In India, ŠKODA will start production of a brand new compact sedan this year. The brand also remains focused on its traditional markets – Europe and the Czech Republic, its home market. Beside the Fabia and Octavia, ŠKODA's main plant in Mladá Boleslav will produce a third model; the brand is already increasing the capacity of its production lines. Starting in late 2012, ŠKODA will also manufacture the automatic twin-clutch gearbox DQ200 in its plant in Vrchlabí.
