Skoda CitiGo Hatchback might follow the Volkswagen Up! into India!

Skoda Citigo

It isn’t a matter of whether Volkswagen bring the Up! Hatchback to India but the question actually should read when will Volkswagen India launch the Up! for the Indian market. Skoda India, a global subsidiary of Volkswagen AG shares almost its entire portfolio with Volkswagen products. Skoda meanwhile is readying up to launch the Rapid Sedan in the Indian market, the first market to get Skoda’s lowest priced sedan ever.

After the din surrounding the Rapid dies, the focus is expected to shift to the Skoda CitiGO Hatchback, which is Skoda’s lower priced version of the Volkswagen Up!. This is one car that could follow the Volkswagen Up! into India and the positive noises for this car has come from the very top of Skoda’s leadership, Skoda Auto Global chairman, Winfried Vahland, having this to say about the CitiGo’s Indian prospects.

The Citigo, which is mainly a small car for Europe, also has a potential in a market like India. We are very optimistic on the Indian market and expect growth rates between 10% and 20% in the coming years. If it makes sense, we will do it together with the group.

Skoda Citigo

The Skoda CitiGo is a rebadged version of the Volkswagen Up! with minor detailing changes on the exteriors, just like the Volkswagen Vento is to the upcoming Skoda Rapid. The Skoda CitiGo will feature the same 1 liter petrol engine that the Up! uses, in two different states of tune. The CitiGo, like the Up! will be available in a 59 Bhp version and a 75 Bhp version. This 1 liter petrol engine’s selling point will be its excellent fuel economy and the low emissions.

The engine will be mated to a five speed manual gearbox and just like the Up!, the CitiGo can seat 4 adults. In India, like in markets elsewhere, Skoda has been positioned a notch below Volkswagen. So, the Skoda CitiGo could also occupy a place lower than the Volkswagen Up! in terms of price and positioning. We’re guessing that the CitiGo could be positioned to take on the likes of the Maruti Alto K10, while the Up! could be targeted at the Maruti Suzuki A-Star. Watch this space!