Geneva. Volkswagen's Czech brand, Skoda, is set to enter new markets, expand its dealer base and embark on a new design theme.
Skoda sales worldwide increased 9 percent last year to 492,111 units. In Western Europe, Skoda gained 14.8 percent, according to Volkswagen annual sales figures.
CEO Detlef Wittig said changes are planned to capitalize on the success.
With the introduction of its new Roomster minivan, Skoda is testing out a few more progressive design elements for future models. Skoda will use design cues on the Roomster and pass it on to other models.
"We could absolutely take the sculpture-like composition of the front-end, such as the hood, and the headlight area, to other models," Wittig told Automobilwoche. "So far, Skoda has stood for designs of conservative elegance. We don't want to give up these lines, but complement them with more tension-building, modern elements."
To expand its presence in eastern Europe and Asia -- where Skoda sales increased a combined 9.7 percent -- Skoda plans to produce an affordable notchback version of the Fabia compact.
"This car will be assembled in India and initially sold there as well," Wittig said. "Export to PAKISTAN or Sri Lanka are also conceivable."
For cost reasons, Skoda is planning to undertake assembly of the Fabia at its Aurangabad, India, factory, with tools and machinery from Europe.
Skoda's entry into Australia could take place yet this year, Wittig said, where Skoda will initially offer the second-generation Octavia as a sedan and a station wagon.
In Germany, Skoda's most important sales market, the company is predicting a careful expansion of the retail network, to 500 from the current 480 dealers, said Alfred Rieck, the new head of Skoda Germany.
A boost in the brand's customer satisfaction and awareness is also high on the agenda