With the aim to strengthen its presence in the Indian market, Skoda, a Czech automobile maker and part of the fourth most established automotive company in the world, has decided to launch four new models by the coming year.

The company said that it will make foray into the small car, MPV and SUV segments with its new launchings.

Moreover, Skoda plans to increase local content in its cars to bring down their cost of production by 2010.

It is also looking to terminate the Octavia by the next few years.

On the sidelines of the launch of the diesel version of the Skoda Superb, Thomas Kuehl, board member (sales and marketing), Skoda Auto India, said, “We will be introducing the small car at a little over Rs 3 lakh.”

Mr. Kuehl said that the country will be the initial market where this car will be launched.

An estate/variant of the Skoda Fabia is also being tested for the Indian market.

Mr. Ashutosh Dixit, GM, sales and dealer development said, “Feasibility studies are on for that, and also for the Roomster, which is an MPV.”

He said that Skoda is planning to launch a small sized SUV Skoda Yeti in India by next year. The Yeti model will be launched to woo the buyers who want to buy a SUV but don't want to spend too much money on it.

Later this year, the Skoda Yeti will be unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show, and Skoda plans to launch it in India in the first half of next year.

With the introduction of the diesel edition of Skoda Superb, and the V6 petrol version launch earlier, the Czech auto manufacturer is getting high in the D-segment that has posted 55% growth during the last quarter.

The company will enter into the mid-market segment with the revamp of the 7-year old Octavia model.

Mr. Kuehl added that the new Octavia, to be revealed later this year, will be moved back to this segment from the current C+ entry segment.

“The model will eventually be phased out and replaced by another model in the next couple of years or so,” Mr. Kuehl said.