The new Skoda Superb has been awarded impressive insurance ratings, helping it to become one of the most competitively rated cars in the upper medium sector.
An insurance rating of 6E is now carried by the entry diesel 1.9 TDI PD 105bhp engine on the S trim Superb, more than three positions better than the outgoing Superb, thereby cutting the cost of car insurance for its new owners.
A lower rating has also been achieved by the entry petrol 1.4 TSI 125bhp which sits in insurance band 7E across all three trim levels.
Chris Horrell, product marketing manager at Skoda UK, said: "The new Superb has achieved much improved ratings thanks to enhanced vehicle security, competitive pricing and low cost of parts and repairs. All of these factors contribute to lower insurance premiums for our customers."
Skoda’s latest addition has fared exceptionally well compared to other car brands.
The car will be on sale in the UK from September 18th, with prices starting from just £15,490.
Skoda is offering consumers a chance to save some cash on a bigger model this summer by giving a free trim upgrade on its family-friendly Roomster.
Until the end of September, parents looking for better value on the school run can purchase a Roomster 2 for the price of a Roomster 1, while buying a Roomster 3 for the price of a Roomster 2 and a Roomster Scout for the price of a Roomster 3.
Masses of space, impressive fuel economy and raised rear seats make the new model perfect for the school run.
A panoramic sun roof and oversized rear windows allow passengers to enjoy the trip and reclining seats can be readjusted after a long day.
Money can also be saved on running the car as efficient fuel consumption leads to a decrease in running costs as well as a reduction in CO2 emissions.
Robert Hazelwood, brand director of Skoda’s UK arm, said that customers wanted more for their money.
"The Roomster is a great family car and now has even more appealing trims and gadgets at no extra cost," he added.
Details have been released of the prices for the first range of options on Skoda’s New Superb, which is due to be launched in September.
For the first time, a Skoda vehicle will have the option of coming with a system which helps to steer a car into a parking space. The Park Assist will be available on the SE and Elegance models for £350, as well as on the entry level S model for £630.
Other functions which come as options include a steering wheel which has radio and telephone controls, Bluetooth GSM III compatibility and DSG gearbox with paddles.
The S and SE trim level vehicles can also come with a tyre pressure monitor on request, while rear side airbags can be fitted on all New Superb models for £250.
Regardless of trim levels, though, all New Superb cars will come with ESP, Twindoor, seven airbags, front and rear electric windows and alloy wheels as standard.
Prices for the standard specification, which will be available from the 18th of next month, start at £15,490.
Skoda retailer John Mullholland recently finished as the fastest diesel-powered car driver in his Rally Skoda Fabia at the Manx International Rally.
A Skoda dealership has acknowledged that we are living in a time-is-money era by offering to deliver Skodas to the doorsteps of busy drivers who wish to test drive one.
The scheme, launched jointly by Skoda Auto UK and Palmers Motor Company in the St Albans area, means that motorists can go for a try-out spin in a car without ever having to set foot in a car showroom.
Adrian Hewett, territory manager at Palmers, personally delivers the car to drivers’ homes or workplaces at a convenient time and provides the full retailer experience for customers whenever and wherever they choose.
Danny Palmer, managing director at Palmers, explained: "The full selection of vehicles to test drive is on offer and Adrian is able to price any part exchange there and then.
"He can then access the Skoda new car system which allows him to quote you not only delivery times but also order your car online and provide you with full financial quotations if necessary."
Such innovative initiatives are vital if car dealerships are to flourish in competitive times.
A grey-coloured Fabia Estate 1.4-litre 16-valve has become the two
millionth car to roll off the Skoda production line.
The previous Fabia models had sold 1.8 million cars, but the newly
launched 2008 estate version has now sold to 19,503 customers worldwide.
Total Fabia sales for the first quarter of this year (hatch and estate)
reached 63,579 (up 8.5 per cent).
Skoda has noticed a growing demand in Eastern Europe and China. Over
27,000 Skoda vehicles were sold in Eastern Europe (up 38.6 per cent)
with Chinese sales totalling 16,212.
The latest innovation, the 1.4 TDI Fabia GreenLine, is achieving
CO2 emissions of just 109g/km and is measured at nearly 69mpg.
Skoda is celebrating an almost 20 per cent rise in sales over 2007
figures, and is especially pleased with sales in Germany, Russia,
Ukraine and Romania.
This trend appears to be repeated across all models and options.
Skoda’s success is partly due to the low CO2 emissions its cars
produce. Robert Hazelwood, Skoda’s brand director, comments: "The
cleaner and greener Fabias not only make financial sense in view of
changing legislation but also appeal to the environmentally minded buyer
on a tight budget.
"The new (UK) budget is an indication of things to come and with the
European Commission set to introduce even stricter emissions rules in
the near future, we are already manufacturing cars that meet these
standards."
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) cites the Skoda
Roomster 1.4TDI as the lowest emitting MPV in UK, producing just
135g/km.
For the second year running, the Skoda Octavia has won the title of Auto Express’ Driver Power Best Car (2008).
Across the complete range of manufacturers, the Czech-based manufacturer was named second overall and in customer surveys this is the fifth year that Skoda has been named in the top five.
Skoda UK brand director Robert Hazelwood said: "Having toppled Lexus from the top spot in the Top Gear customer satisfaction survey last year, we’re delighted with the news that Octavia is the top car in this latest survey from Auto Express.
"We put our customers at the heart of everything we do, from the design
and quality of the cars that ensures they are easy and rewarding to live with, through to our retailers who take pride in the service they
provide throughout the ownership of the car."
David Johns, Auto Express’ editor-in-chief, said: "The Octavia is a
deserving winner of the Best Car title in Driver Power 2008. With great
reliability and a strong set of results across our judging categories it will be tough to beat in next year’s survey. Owners have struggled to find any faults with Skoda’s family car."
Auto Express question their respondents about vehicle reliability, build quality, running costs, performance and ease of driving to chose their winner.
Skoda is being chosen by emergency services providers up and down the country.
Currently, 49 out of 53 regional police forces across the UK drive Skodas, with most choosing the Octavia models.
Four ambulance forces also use Skodas.
Jane Barker, account manager at Skoda, comments: "It was only a matter of time before Skoda became a competitive force within this sector.
"Now, with the development of our Containment Cell Police vehicle and Octavia Scout Paramedic vehicle, we have shown we have the ability to adapt our models to ideally suit the emergency services. Thanks to the success of both vehicles, the Skoda brand is now becoming synonymous with emergency vehicles and last year saw a significant increase in take up. We hope to continue the success this year, especially with the launch of the new Superb."
Skoda topped the 2006 Top Gear Customer Satisfaction Survey. The Octavia was the 2007 and 2008 Auto Express Driver Power survey ‘Car of the Year’.
Once reviled for its marque, the Skoda has a brand to celebrate as the two millionth Octavia rolled off the Czech production line in Vrchlabí back in April last year.
Then the Octavia won the 2007 Auto Express Driver-power survey ‘Car of the Year’.
The Czechs started to produce the Skoda Octavia (Tour) in 1998 and added a parallel production line to construct the 2004 Octavia alongside the traditional Octavia Tour.
There are now production lines in India, China, Russia, the Ukraine, Bosnia and Kazakhstan.
For those who enjoy pub-quizzes, the Octavia is called ‘Laura’ in India and ‘Ming Rui’ in China.
Business News also described Skoda as one of the greenest car makers, with average CO2 emissions of 152g/km.
The new Skoda Fabia estates have launched today, with an additional 1,400 litres of rear storage space.
Insurance groupings are as low as 2E for the 1.2 HTP (70bhp) Fabia Estate 1.
With petrol and diesel options across the Estate 1, Estate 2 and Estate 3 models, their carbon emissions figures should keep the road fund licence duty low too.
The Skoda Fabia won fourth place the 2006 Top Gear award for customer satisfaction, with the Skoda Octavia coming in third.
The Skoda Octavia is also the holder of the 2007 Auto Express Driver Power survey Car of the Year.
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