OREANDA-NEWS. Skoda Auto Russia has announced the plans for the launch of local production of Skoda Kodiaq. The first family off-road car of the brand will be produced in Nizhny Novgorod, starting from the first quarter of 2018, reports the company's press service. Let's remind that the start of sales of Skoda Kodiaq in Russia has taken place in June of this year. Over 700 such cars have already been transferred to Russian customers.

Michael Oeleklaus, the member of the Board of Directors of Skoda, responsible for the production and logistics, visited the GAZ Group plant in Nizhny Novgorod, at the facilities of which the production of popular models of the Czech brand Skoda Octavia and Skoda Yeti was established. During the visit, it was decided to start the full cycle production (CKD) of Skoda Kodiaq in the first quarter of 2018.

"Local production has always played a key role in the long-term development strategy of Skoda in Russia. The decision to launch the local production of our first large SUV was a great achievement and a serious step in the development of Skoda in a strategically important market for the brand," – said Mr. Oelkelaus.

Since 2007, Skoda produced cars at the Volkswagen Group plant in Kaluga, and since 2011 the production has been localized at the facilities of the GAZ Group plant in Nizhny Novgorod. In 2015, a motor plant was opened in Kaluga, producing atmospheric engines of 1.6 MPI, which are installed on the model of Skoda and Volkswagen of local assembly.

Earlier this year, Volkswagen Group Rus and GAZ Group extended the cooperation agreement until 2025. The parties expanded the partnership agreement by defining a line of models that will be produced in Nizhny Novgorod, and also agreed with a plan for adapting the production capacities of the GAZ Group plant for the launch of new models of Volkswagen Group Rus.