Skoda Seeks Ally For Beta Cars

Skoda AS, Czech Republics largest private company, is scouting for an Indian partner to manufacture its 'Beta range of cars in the country.

The car runs on an electric battery and is scheduled to be launched next year.

The company said it will finalise its joint partner in the next two months and would like to hold a majority stake in the venture.

The partner need not necessarily be a car manufacturer. The alliance could also be with companies who are in other areas of business, said Martin Basta, director, Skoda.

Skoda already has a presence in the power and heavy machinery sectors.

 

In the transport sector Skoda has two joint ventures in the country, one for manufacturing Tatra heavy trucks with Venus and the other for manufacturing Trolley Buses with Bhel.

Its Beta car in the European market is available as a van with two seats and a large loading space at the rear.

It can be fitted with an option of a petrol engine of 1300cc and 1500cc as well as an electric drive unit.

The company said it would, however, make suitable modifications in the car for the Indian market.

Martin Basta said the cars would be priced at a reasonable level as the entire project entails minimum investment costs because of the low cost technology used in the production of the vehicles.

The company is scheduled to begin production in April 1997.