“As ŠKODA’s second best-selling series, the Rapid is an important pillar of our international growth strategy. By releasing these current upgrades in technology and engines, we have now made the series even more attractive,” says Werner Eichhorn, ŠKODA Board Member for Sales and Marketing.
The ŠKODA Rapid saloon has been on the market since 2012 in Europe, with the Spaceback following in late 2013. In addition, ŠKODA has had an India-specific Rapid version on the Indian market since 2011. Around the world, ŠKODA delivered 91,400 ŠKODA Rapids to customers in the first five months of this year – an increase of 12.3% over the same period last year.
With the launch of the ŠKODA Rapid saloon – which at the time was a ‘new class of ŠKODA’ – the Czech car manufacturer set a new standard in the class of compact saloons in mid-2012, completing the range in the compact segment between the Fabia and Octavia. This was the first of ŠKODA’s series-production models to sport the brand’s new design language. The Rapid Spaceback introduced one year later marked the brand’s entry into the strategically important compact hatchback segment.
As can be expected from a ŠKODA, the Rapid and Rapid Spaceback boast lots of room, high functionality, modern technology, and a host of ‘Simply Clever’ innovations. In addition to the generous interior, both versions of the model feature attractive designs; for their outstanding product design, the Rapid and Rapid Spaceback have each been presented with the Red Dot Design Award – one of the most internationally acclaimed design awards.
ŠKODA has recently enhanced the Rapid series for the launch of the new model year. Since May, the ŠKODA Rapid and Rapid Spaceback have featured enhanced connectivity, safety and eco-friendliness.
There are now new, modern infotainment systems available based on the latest generation of the modular infotainment kit from Volkswagen (MIB II). SmartLink is now available to link the Rapid to a smartphone or tablet. ŠKODA’s SmartGate interface can be used to retrieve useful data on the vehicle to then be displayed on your smartphone.
In terms of safety, the Rapid and Rapid Spaceback are now available with a range of new assistance systems, including Front Assist, multi collision brake, Trailer Stability Assist, fatigue detection, park distance control front and rear, LED daytime running lights, Light Assist and the automatic start and lock system KESSY.
In addition, the ŠKODA Rapid model family has been completely converted to modern, environmentally friendly EU-6 engines.
As a pillar of ŠKODA’s growth strategy, the ŠKODA Rapid has been an international success story. In addition to the production at the main factory in Mladá Boleslav, the Rapid is also produced at the sites in Yizheng (China), Kaluga (Russia) and Pune (India).
Production figures by model (rounded)
Rapid: 116,500
Rapid Spaceback: 103,100
Rapid India: 57,900
Rapid Russia: 35,200
Rapid China: 158,100
Rapid Spaceback China: 29,900
Production figures by site (rounded)
Mladá Boleslav: 219,600
Yizheng/China: 188,000
Kaluga/Russia: 35,200
Pune/India: 57,900
150630 Success in the compact segment – 500_000 ŠKODA Rapids produced
