Skoda to Build Yeti in India

India is once again making the headlines, this time with the help of Czech manufacturer Skoda who recently announced it will built the new Yeti SUV at its CKD plant in Aurangabad. The car is projected to go on sale in Europe in September, with the first public appearance in India scheduled for January 2010 at the New Delhi Auto Show.

"We will be able to announce the launch date by the end of the year, following a feasibility study of manufacturing the Yeti in India within the next few weeks. It will be imported as a completely knocked down unit and assembled at our Aurangabad facility," said the automaker's sales and network development head Ashutosh Dixit.

India is a growing market for Skoda who sold approximately 6,500 cars in the country in the first half of the year and expects the number to grow in the next months. The Czech manufacturer currently builds in India the Octavia, Superb and Laura. The Fabia hatchback is also being produced in the region but in Volkswagen's plant in Chakan.

"The Indian market looks optimistic for Skoda and we will be increasing our dealerships to 75 outlets by 2010 from the current 61," said Dixit.

Skoda Yeti will be offered with a total of five engines, two gasoline and three diesel, releasing between 103 and 167 horsepower (77 and 125 kW respectively). The 1.2-liter TSI with front-wheel drive is the smallest displacement-unit in the whole range, followed by the 2.0-liter TDI CR DPF unit that comes with either front wheel drive or 4x4. The top of the range engine is the 2.0-liter TDI CR DPF all-wheel drive that produces 167 horsepower (125 kW).