Skoda: It's Czech mates for dinky battlers

If you want an affordable Audi-group car, the Czech brand offers a genuine alternative to its pricier siblings. Photo / Supplied

Skoda NZ general manager James Yates is the most cheerful car industry person we've met of late. For Skoda was the fastest-growing car brand in New Zealand last year.

It sold 181 cars in 2007, 325 cars in 2008 and the tally is 85 in the first two months of 2009, up 50 per cent7

It's not yet a major player, but clearly the word is getting out that if you want an affordable Audi-group car, the Czech brand offers a genuine alternative to its pricier siblings. As a result it's now sixth on the Euro sales tables ahead of Mini and Fiat, and one of few to increase its sales so far.

There are plenty of models to draw new punters to showrooms: the recently launched Superb (above), an Octavia facelift, and the new Yeti model line to come, while shortly all Skodas will be diesels.

The Yeti is a high-riding compact wagon, a similar size to Suzuki's Vitara. Skoda can't reveal price, as it depends on the exchange rate later this year.

Meanwhile, Skoda's fitted a new front end to its handsome Octavia wagon, plus new rear bumpers and lights and new alloys.

Driving it in wagon format, it's more impressive than its understated looks suggest. Not just because it has top-notch specification, with six airbags, auto dimming mirrors, 12-speaker sound system and a very roomy, well-finished boot. The diesel engine is smooth and torquey, the handling stands up well in the class.

And a further bonus for families - it has a rear-park warning that works exceptionally well.

Priced from $37,490, the Octavia was a finalist in wagon format at the recent AA Motoring Excellence Awards.

With buyers overlooking the badge for the quality beneath, expect to see more Skodas on roads near you.