Škoda Starts Production of the Small Car Citigo in Bratislava

MLADÁ BOLESLAV/BRATISLAVA – October 14, 2011 – Yesterday, Škoda celebrated the start of the series production of its new small car, “Citigo”, in Bratislava. With the seventh model series, the Czech manufacturer expands its product portfolio in the small car segment. The new Citigo will already be introduced in Škoda’s home market of the Czech Republic at the end of this year. Other European countries will follow in the early summer of 2012. At the time of its launch in the market, the Citigo will first be available as a three-door vehicle. The five-door version will be offered at the beginning in 2012.

“The Citigo is a central component of our growth strategy,” says the Chairman of the Board of Škoda, Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. “With this automobile, we are starting our model offensive in Europe. It opens the important small car market for Škoda and perfectly applies our values in a city car: compact yet spacious, economical yet agile, attractive and equipped with many clever ideas. This car is ‘city clever’.”

The key target groups are young drivers, young families with young children looking to get themselves a second or even third car, and also ‘best agers’, i.e. customers who are rather cost-sensitive and have a rational approach to cars on one hand but high demands for quality, design and safety on the other. The Citigo is a perfect mix of these properties. Depending on market demands, up to three trim options will be available: Active, Ambition and Elegance.

The Citigo offers maximum room with a minimum amount of space and seats four passengers comfortably. With a length of 3.56 meters, a width of 1.65 meters, and height of 1.48 meters, the Citigo is among the most compact of cars in the A00 segment.

The safety issue is of major importance. For the first time ever, a head/thorax side airbag for the driver and the front passenger are included in a Škoda. Together with other features, it provides an exemplary passive safety package for this vehicle class. The active safety is significantly improved by the new active brake assistant, “City Safe Drive.”

At the market launch, new three-cylinder gas engines will be available: both engines have a displacement of 1.0 liter and provide 44 kW/60 hp or 55 kW/75 hp, respectively.