Skoda confirms two new models 16 | 03 | 2011

SKODA CITY CAR plans are on the up after the Czech company confirmed it will launch its own version of the Volkswagen Up (pictured). The new city car is expected to help Skoda double its annual sales to 1.5 million units by 2018.

Last year’s total unit sales figure of 762,000 was Skoda’s best ever, and the firm’s sales are already 25% up year-on-year in the first two months of 2011.

Currently known within Skoda as the 'City Car', it will also be joined by a new small saloon which will be positioned between the current Fabia and Octavia. The new saloon will be targeted directly at developing markets.

Skoda chairman Winfried Krause, who confirmed the new models at the company's annual press conference, said the City Car was to “answer to the increasingly strong demand for small cars with low fuel consumption and affordable running costs. It offers a new sales potential in Europe for us."

The styling of both models will be influenced by Skoda’s VisionD design concept revealed at the Geneva motor show earlier this month.

Skoda has also said both models will stick to its ‘simply clever’ mantra, offering “practical vehicles with an optimal offer of space and an outstanding price/value ratio”.

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