We dont know why, but recently the whole Chinese motoring press seem to be becoming intoxicated with the impending arrival of the Skoda Octavia, which will be going on the market on July 6th 2007.
The Octavia will be domestically made via the Shanghai - VW tie up, which now includes Skoda in its little circle of friends. Skoda have been in China both officially, and unofficially for years back in the cold war days when there was actually more than a dozen commie states in the world Skodas and Ladas were passed off between nations factories and as such, you often see Czech Skodas and North Korean Ladas. China Car Times is unsure if China ever produced its own national Lada/Skoda but we’re sure Erik will know the answer. You can pick up an old 80’s Skoda for around 2000rmb in good condition in China, the newer ones are around 10,000rmb second hand of course.
The current Octavia will come with a choice of 1.8 or 2.0 engines, also the Octavia will range from 120,500rmb to 160,780rmb once it goes on the market. This puts in firmly into competition with the Ford Focus, Brilliance BS4/BS6, and even its brother, the new VW Passat.
Currently the Octavia is the only Skoda in available (officially) in China. We hope that over time the complete Skoda range make it to China, because, we think the Roomster is great!
No, there have never been built Skoda or Lada copies. Yes, Niva copies and Dacia copies. Even 125P (PolskiFiat) copies. And wonderful Mercedes copies. But no Lada. And no Skoda.
You know that in the Chinese Military Museum in Beijing you can still see the pantsered Skoda Superb (about 1953)from Marshal Zhude? It was a gift from CzechoSlovakia.