Skoda's Joyster for Oz?

Skoda is not admitting anything directly, but a new sub-light segment city car is believed to be on the wishlist for Australia.

The Head of Skoda in Australia, Matthew Wiesner, was asked during the Australian International Motor Show earlier this month to clarify the situation concerning the tiny car, which Skoda has confirmed is currently under development.

"They're certainly things that are being looked at very closely," he replied rather vaguely. "We want to be involved in everything we can be involved in..."

Although Wiesner explicitly stated that Skoda is targeting "key market segments in Australia", he avoided even naming the new vehicle, which reportedly will be introduced to market as the Skoda Joyster. Behind Wiesner's words lay the implication that even if the tiny Skoda doesn't make it here, Skoda in Australia will be pushing harder for the head office in the Czech Republic to come to the party with future models.

"We want to make sure we can introduce those products to Australia," he said.

If Wiesner were reticent about the Joyster or other future product, his Director of International Sales, Christian Wiegel, showed less reluctance.

"We are thinking about it," he said, "but the core market for that product — the little brother of the Up! — is probably Western Europe, where we have 70 per cent of our [sales] volume," he replied.

"Right-hand drive, we're looking into that... depends on availability in terms of production, because the UK and Ireland [are] very important for us — to really have that covered.

"We have prepared all technical aspects to bring it, but we don't have a date when we're going to bring it to Australia. This is the first step..."

Wiegel has been in the job for two years and when asked by motoring.com.au whether sales of the brand in Australia had met his expectations, he simply replied "No". He, much like the company he represents, espouses a 'no BS' ethos, so popular in Australia too.

Determined to raise the company's profile here and expand its sales base — and appease dealers too, by the sound of it — Wiegel seems very committed to a full model lineup for the Skoda brand in Australia, commencing from 2013. That might be the logical launch date here for the Joyster, assuming it can be made RHD-ready by then.

Picture courtesy Carparazzi

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