New trim level for Skoda line-up

Skoda plans to change the designation of its top trim level from Elegance to SE-L, bringing it in line with its S and SE marks.

Although subtle, the move should help pricing guides, leasing companies and fleets to better understand the step-changes between the three specification levels, Skoda director Alasdair Stewart (pictured) told Fleet News at the Paris Motor Show 2014.

Fleet has been a strong sector for the company this year, with registrations up 47% in a market up 8%, according to Stewart’s figures.

True fleet has driven growth on the back of the Octavia and Citigo, supported by Motability sales via the popular Yeti. Rental has been pegged to 10% of total volume.

Skoda has been successful in raising the number of multi-model deals it has with fleets, Stewart added.

“We often get on the list as a job based car for engineers and maintenance, then we drift up into management choice lists with the Octavia and Superb,” he said.

“We are working hard to widen our footprint once we are on a list.”

The fleet team has been expanded with staff targeting contract hire companies and rental/Motability, while the local business programme, which replaced the Fit 4 Fleet initiative earlier this year, has making good progress with SME fleets.