Skoda Launches New Car Line

09/05/96

The Associated Press reported that Czech carmaker Skoda Mlada Boleslav launched production of a new, medium-sized family sedan on Tuesday. Skoda will make the new moderate-priced Octavia model in its new facility in Boleslav, which opened for the production on Tuesday.

Germany's Volkswagen owns 70 percent of Skoda. The carmaker's production goal is about 5,000 Octavias this year, increasing to 64,000 in 1997 and 90,000 the following year. The Lidove Noviny, a Czech daily, said about 20,000 Octavias will be sold domestically each year, while the rest will be exported. Depending on how its equipped, the Octavia's price-tag will range from $12,900 to $17,600.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel