Skoda India mulls foray into pre-owned car business

Skoda Auto India plans to foray into organised pre-owned car business and may launch few pilot projects this year.
"We are looking at the pre-owned car segment. This year, we may have a few pilots starting with Mumbai and Delhi," Skoda Auto India director, sales & marketing, Ashutosh Dixit said during an interaction here today.
Over the brand used for the pre-owned car business, he said, internationally Das WeltAuto is used by its parent Volkswagen, but it is yet to take a call on the final brand strategy for India for used cars business.
Foraying into pre-owned car segment is expected to boost its own cars sales through exchange programs.

Skoda had sold about 15,500 units during 2014 and is aiming for 17,000 to 17,500 units in 2015.
Dixit said though the numbers are not high, the company is able to register close to 10 per cent growth in volumes and similar trend is expected this year also.

He also clearly hinted that Skoda has no plans either to rehaul its product portfolio or to offer discounts to push the volume as it want to be distinguished as value-premium car company.
Skoda has three sedans and one SUV in its product portfolio with entry price point of around Rs 7.5 lakh (ex showroom Delhi) and prices going upto Rs 22-23 lakh.

Rapid is the highest selling model with 60-70 per cent of its total units sold in India.