( Worldcarfans ) - Volkswagen Group-owned Czech car maker Skoda has announced that it will return to the Australian market - nearly 25 years after it left the market in 1983 - with a debut at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney in October 2007.
Skoda will, along with Volkswagen and Bentley, take up the residence in Hall 6 of the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre. Hall 6 has been renamed "The Pavilion", after "the transformation it [the hall] will undergo at the hands of the three brands' highly creative stand designers." Jutta Dierks, Managing Director, VW Group Australia said that "we are excited about having our own dedicated hall and we're making a big display effort." Since the Sydney Show will mark the public debut of Skoda on the Australian Market, "we are doing what we can to make sure consumers notice and remember our new cars" Matthew Wiesner, head of Skoda Australia, added.
Skoda will launch two models with their vRS derivatives for the Australian market; The Octavia Sedan and hatch, as well as the crossover Roomster wagon. Skoda's Yeti concept car, a small SUV showing elements of Skoda's future direction, will also be on display.
In 2006 Skoda sold 549,667 vehicles and sales in the first six months of 2007 are up 13.2% over last year at 311,062 units. Australia will become the fifth continent, where Skoda will sell its cars.