Skoda starts SUV offensive

A Skoda Kodiaq is shown at the 2016 Paris auto show in October, 2016. [Li Fusheng / chinadaily.com.cn]

Czech carmaker Skoda Auto gave a preview of its large-sized sport utility vehicle Kodiaq on Nov 16 in Guangzhou, signaling the start of its SUV offensive in the world's largest auto market.

It is the model's Chinese premiere after being unveiled in Berlin, Germany, in September.

The model, which has five-seat and seven-seat variants, sports a 1.8T or 2.0T engine. It has a wheelbase of 2,791 mm, the longest in its segment.

Skoda said the localized Kodiaq would hit the market in the second quarter of 2017.

Michael Arndt, head of SAIC Volkswagen's Skoda sales department, said the model would be followed by the all-new Yeti, a coupe, and a crossover utility vehicle, making China the first market to offer four Skoda SUV models.

Skoda started localization in China at SAIC Volkswagen in 2007. Since then, more than 1.8 million Skoda models have been delivered to Chinese customers, according to Andreas Hafemann, president of Skoda China.

Skoda now has six models in the Chinese market: Fabia, Rapid, Rapid Spaceback, Octavia, Yeti and Superb.

The automaker sold 32,000?cars in China in October, a 21 percent surge year-on-year, bringing its total sales this year to 268,000 units.

Tracing its origin back to 1895, Skoda is one of the world's oldest auto brands. It became part of Volkswagen AG in 1991.