Skoda's home country Czech Republic urges review of EU emissions rules

Skoda's home country Czech Republic urges review of EU emissions rules

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By: AFP
, updated on: 06 October 2024, 08:50 am

  • The Czech Republic, an EU member of 10.9 million people, is heavily dependent on car production and exports to other EU countries.
The Czech Republic, an EU member of 10.9 million people, is heavily dependent on car production and exports to other EU countries. (Reuters)

The Czech government said on Friday it would pressure the EU to review emissions rules ahead of the plan, saying tougher rules would harm the competitiveness of the European car sector.

The Czech Republic, an EU member of 10.9 million people, is heavily dependent on car production and exports to other EU countries.

The country's three big car plants – Volkswagen's Skoda Auto, Toyota and Hyundai – are expected to produce about 1.4 million cars in 2023 and make up about 10 percent of its gross domestic product.

Prague will urge the EU to move up a planned review of its CO2 rules from 2026 to 2025, Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka told reporters.

“We also need to change the (emissions) limit for 2025,” Kupka said. He said that EU rules are not in line with market conditions.

“Sales of electric cars are falling … even though the EU had predicted growth and based its emissions limits on it,” Kupka said.

He said sanctions for failure to comply would prevent carmakers from investing in development, putting them at a disadvantage to rivals in China or the United States.

Kupka said Prague would invite ministers and European Parliament members from other EU countries to support the campaign.

The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) also last month asked Brussels to “come forward with urgent relief measures before the new CO2 targets for cars and vans come into force in 2025”.

Europe is racing to produce more electric cars as part of its green transition, with an EU deadline to phase out the sale of fossil fuel-burning cars by 2035 approaching.

But after years of growth, electric car sales began to decline in late 2023, and now account for just 12.5 percent of new cars sold on the continent.

Get information about upcoming cars in India, electric vehicles, upcoming bikes in India and cutting-edge technology that is changing the automotive landscape.

First publication date: 06 October 2024, 08:50 AM IST

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Skoda Kodiaq gets A ₹2 lakh price cut, variant lineup revised

Skoda Kodiaq gets A ₹2 lakh price cut, variant lineup revised

by with No Comment car insurance online

It’s unclear as to what prompted the price cut but this would be a good time to bring the Skoda Kodiaq home for those looking to get a comfortable and luxurious SUV. The Kodiaq has always been impressive with its top-notch build quality, feature-rich cabin and comfortable second row. It also gets a usable third row, accommodating children and young adults with ease.

Also Read : Skoda reveals new generation Kodiaq SUV with plug-in hybrid technology.

The cabin of the Kodiaq offers top-notch quality coupled with plenty of storage space

The Skoda Kodiaq L&K variant previously retailed at ₹41.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Despite the price cut, the SUV retains all of its features. Power on the SUV comes from the 2.0-litre TSI petrol motor tuned for 188 bhp and 320 Nm of peak torque. The model is available in a single-spec option with the 7-speed DSG automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels.

The current generation Skoda Kodiaq has been around for a while and Skoda has already unveiled the new generation model globally. The next-generation Kodiaq is expected to arrive in India in 2025 and is expected to arrive via the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) route.

Also Watch: 2022 Skoda Kodiaq facelift SUV: First Drive Review

Skoda reportedly will also bring back the Superb and Octavia to the Indian market later this year. Reports suggest that the current generation Superb will be reintroduced as a Completely Built Unit (CBU). Furthermore, the company has the Enyaq electric SUV in the pipeline for India, while it recently announced the made-in-India subcompact SUV that will go on sale in 2025.

First Published Date: 22 Mar 2024, 18:03 PM IST


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Year Ender 2023: Cars for India that passed GNCAP crash test with flying colours

Year Ender 2023: Cars for India that passed GNCAP crash test with flying colours

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India’s automobile industry is constantly evolving. People’s demands keep changing and manufacturers try to ensure that they are fulfilling the demands. The latest push in the industry has come in the form of safe vehicles. People are now well aware of the safety rating of the vehicles. What has helped in pushing safe vehicles is Global NCAP’s #safercarsforindia initiative. As part of this campaign, every year several cars that are being sold in India are crash-tested. This year also several cars were crash-tested and here are five cars that passed GNCAP tests with flying colours in 2023.

By: HT Auto Desk
| Updated on: 22 Dec 2023, 17:26 PM

Tata Harrier and Safari SUVs have secured five star rating at the Global NCAP crash tests and Bharat NCAP becoming two of the safest cars in India.

Tata Safari and Harrier

Tata Motors was the first automobile manufacturer that really started the movement about safe cars in India with the Nexon. However, they took a long time to crash-test the Harrier and Safari. With the facelifts, the manufacturer finally sent the SUVs to Global NCAP for a crash test and they scored the highest rating in the crash test. Not only this, the Harrier and the Safari are also the first vehicles to be tested by Bharat NCAP. Both the SUVs are based on Land Rover’s Omegarc platform so it makes sense that both SUVs also share the same safety rating and features.

Hyundai Verna

Well, this came as a surprise to everyone. Hyundai Verna scored 5 stars in the Global NCAP crash test. It is the first made-in-India car from Hyundai to achieve five stars in the crash test. The new generation of Verna was launched in the Indian market this year and has been doing decent in terms of sales. The voluntary test for the Hyundai Verna was one of the last tests to be done by Global NCAP for India.

Also Read : Volkswagen to bring back physical buttons in new cars in era of touchscreen

Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia also scored 5 stars in the Global NCAP crash test. Both sedans come from the manufacturer’s India 2.0 strategy and are based on MQB-A0-IN. This is the same platform that is being used on the Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq which also scored 5 stars in a crash test.

First Published Date: 22 Dec 2023, 17:26 PM IST


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New generation Skoda Superb sedan to debut today

New generation Skoda Superb sedan to debut today

by with No Comment car insurance online

After releasing multiple teasers and revealing the interior, Skoda is all set to reveal the new generation Superb sedan today. Entering its fourth generation, the premium sedan will incorporate the Czech automobile brand’s contemporary design philosophy. As the teaser images have suggested, the new generation Skoda Superb will come sharper than the outgoing model.

By: HT Auto Desk
| Updated on: 02 Nov 2023, 14:41 PM

Upon launch, the new Skoda Superb will revise its competition with rivals like the Toyota Camry, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.

The new generation Skoda Superb sedan gets the automaker’s signature grille design with multiple vertical slats and chrome surround. The front and rear bumpers come updated, while the LED matrix headlamps, new alloy wheels and reworked boot lid with Skoda lettering along with new wraparound and sharp-looking LED taillights will enhance the car’s visual appeal.

Also Read : Skoda teases new Kodiaq SUV, looks sharper with evolutionary design

As Skoda has already revealed, the new generation Superb sedan will come featuring a 10-inch fully digital instrument cluster inside the cabin, while the key attraction will be the 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The touchscreen infotainment system will come with wireless mobile connectivity, while the car will also get dual-tone brown and black upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats among other features. As the auto manufacturer has hinted, the new generation Skoda Superb will come offering a more premium vibe than the current model.

On the powertrain front, the new generation iteration of the premium sedan would get four different powertrain options. These will include a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, a 2.0-litre diesel engine, a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol mild-hybrid engine, and a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol plug-in hybrid engine. Transmission options for the sedan would include manual and automatic gearboxes. Expect the India-bound version of the new Skoda Superb to come with the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit. Upon launch, the new Skoda Superb will revise its competition with rivals like the Toyota Camry, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.

First Published Date: 02 Nov 2023, 14:41 PM IST


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