ŠKODA In Qatar: The Model Initiative Continues

›   ŠKODA MissionL displayed outside Europe forthe first time

›   Study shows design of new compact saloon and brand itself

›   ŠKODA model offensive continues

›  Sales record in 2011: 879,200 cars delivered, an increase of 15.3 percent

›   International presence set to strengthen further

›   Compact saloon will be also available in Qatar

Mladá Boleslav, January 23^rd, 2012 – Czech car maker ŠKODA’s appearance at the 2012 Qatar Motor Show is framed by the brand’s international growth strategy. MissionL, a close-to-series-study, ŠKODA provides the State’s audience with a detailed preview of its new compact saloon. At the same time, the concept car is an ambassador of the new ŠKODA design and on display outside Europe for the first time.

The new compact saloon will be introduced in major international markets in 2012 and will play a central role in ŠKODA’s model offensive. Furthermore, it will extend the model range of the brand with a new segment between the existing ŠKODA models Fabia and Octavia. The new compact saloon’s market launch is also planned for Qatar.

ŠKODA aims to substantially increase global sales of all models to at least 1.5 million units per year by 2018. ŠKODA sales rose by 15 per cent in 2011 to reach a new record level of 879,200 cars. “2011 was a very important year for us, in which we made significant achievements,” says Jürgen Stackmann, ŠKODA board member in charge of sales and marketing. The model offensive is off to a successful start with the Citigo subcompact being launched in the Czech Republic and the Rapid compact saloon in India as its first instances.

“We set new records in 2011 and we are well on course for our 2018 growth strategy 2018,” said Stackmann, speaking at the presentation of ŠKODA’s MissionL study in Qatar. The brand sold more cars in all regions than in the previous year.

Besides Europe, the markets in Russia, India and China proved especially dynamic again. “In Qatar, we have been active for ten year. To date, ŠKODA has grown into the third-largest European import brand,” said Stackmann, adding: “Strengthening our international activities is a central element of our growth strategy.” Thus, Qatar will see the introduction of the ŠKODA Yeti during 2012.

In addition to the MissionL, ŠKODA displays with Fabia, Octavia, Yeti and Superb at the Qatar Motor Show also other models available in the local market.

MissionL: Ambassador of the ŠKODA model offensive with a new design language

The new compact saloon will be the continuation of the manufacturer’s offensive. MissionL, a close-to-series design study, which ŠKODA’s display of in Qatar is the first outside Europe, offers a detailed preview of the appearance of this future saloon on the streets.

The MissionL concept impresses with its clarity and precision. “We gave this study a great deal of clarity and a simple and effective allotment of surfaces,” says SKODA design chief Jozef Kabaň. This creates a vigorous and athletic appearance. “Life has become so complex that many people long for simple yet precise statements. This is what MissionL’s design delivers,” says Jozef Kabaň.

The car’s clearly modelled surfaces and sharply drawn lines especially enhance its perfect proportions. The front shows ŠKODA’s new design. The revised and freshened ŠKODA logo is now prominently positioned on the bonnet’s rounded front end. The grille sports a chrome frame and is made up of vertical plate fins. The car’s front clearly displays the cloverleaf shape formed by the headlight ensemble.

Below the main headlights with their soberly styled double reflectors, fog lamps of almost equal size frame the grille. Blinkers and daytime running lights run as finely contoured bands along the lower edge of the main headlights. The crystalline structure of their covers is marked by sharp lines – a design theme reminiscent of Czech glass grinders and recurring in many body components as well as inside the car.

A black-transparent glass roof spans across the study’s interior, which radiates its tidy elegance and impresses with its clear ergonomics and high functionality. The cockpit conveys spaciousness thanks to its horizontal arrangement. The control panel, seat covers and steering wheel are a bichrome white and beige and exude a youthful spirit. The door covers feature backlighted textile covers with small integrated structures reminiscent of crystal and thus transporting the theme of glass inside the car.