Czech Mate: Škoda Unveils Joyster Concept In Paris

Motoring Channel Staff - 29/Sep/2006

Paris, France — Škoda Auto's new concept car – the Škoda Joyster - was revealed to the media today at the Paris International Motor Show. Shaped very dynamically, this leisure-time 3-door front-wheel drive compact vehicle is mainly targeted at young people, and seeing as Škoda is now a Volkswagen-owned company, it gets a much more appealing design than the Škoda's of the last few decades, which were often the butt of many a joke.

On top of its fresh-looking design, the vehicle offers a high degree of comfort and smart modern communication solutions. The Joyster concept demonstrates the big creative potential of the company's young designers led by Jens Manske. The team indeed creates new, simple and sophisticated solutions in the spirit of the company's advertising slogan "Simply Clever".

Besides the Joyster concept car, a further three items of Škoda Auto's product portfolio had their world premieres at the event in Pairs:

• Škoda Octavia Scout
  

• Škoda Octavia RS and the Octavia Combi RS with the 2,0 TDI PD/125kW engine
  

• Top-class equipment levels Laurin & Klement for the Octavia and the Superb

Based on the Octavia Combi 4x4, the Octavia Scout is going to reinforce the manufacturer's position in the four-wheel-drive and leisure-time segments and significantly extend the brand's model portfolio at the same time. With increased clearance height, an improved four-wheel drive system and two powerful engines (2.0-litre TDI PD 103kW (140hp) and 2.0-litre FSI 110kW (150hp), the model is another addition to the Octavia range.

Other attractive items to be exhibited by Škoda Auto at the Paris Motor Show include the Roomster, new top-class equipment levels Laurin & Klement for the Octavia and the Superb, as well as a new edition of the Octavia RS (sports version of the Octavia) with the powerful turbo diesel engine 2.0 TDI PD.

The demand for Škoda vehicles is growing. From January until June 2006, Škoda Auto's car sales grew by 12.4% compared to the same period of 2005. Specified in terms of the respective model lines, the number of customers buying the Octavia grew by 21.4%, the sales of the Superb grew by 2.6% and the sales of the Fabia by 4.2%. Over 275,000 Škoda vehicles were sold over the said period.

Škoda Auto is planning to sell 530,000 vehicles over 2006, which would break the existing record. The brand is going to get over 500,000 vehicles produced within one year for the very first time in its history and the new models offered by Škoda, like the Octavia Scout, the Octavia RS 2.0 TDI PD 125kW and the Roomster, are going to help significantly in the company's efforts aimed at meeting the target.

Škoda Auto currently employs 26,000 people and manufactures vehicles in five countries: the Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, India, Kazakhstan and the Ukraine. In 2007 Škoda Auto is going to start manufacturing cars also in its new production plant in China, where it expects to gain much sales ground. Altogether, Škoda vehicles are sold in altogether 90 countries.