'Dynamic' Skoda looks to bright future

"In my opinion, plug-in hybrid is a feasible solution at present," he said.

Currently, pure electrics usually travel about 150 km at a full charge.

"In 10 years, the battery capacity will increase 2.5 to 3 times to extend a one-charge travel distance to 300 to 400 km. At that time, the battery cost will also be reduced by 50 percent. That's the time for wide use of pure electrics," said Vahland.

He said Skoda is making efforts to further consider Chinese consumer behavior and requirements throughout new energy vehicle development.

The new Octavia

Skoda is launching the company's largest-scale car offensive of all time.

As its most important model, the new Octavia has achieved great success in the international market since it was globally unveiled in 2013.

Since 1996, when the first Skoda Octavia was released, more than 4.14 million models have been delivered to customers around the globe, making Octavia the best-selling model under the Skoda brand.

"The Octavia is the heart of our brand, which embodies the outstanding achievements of Skoda and has made Skoda the successful company it is today," said Vahland.

Restyled by chief designer Kaban and his team, the third-generation Octavia has the largest space, lightest weight, best safety performance, greatest practicality, greatest comfort and most eco-friendly performance of any Octavia ever produced, according to the company.

The Octavia is also the best-selling model of Skoda in China. Since entering the Chinese market in 2007, more than 680,000 Skoda Octavia models have been sold.

"The local production of new Octavia as well as Rapid Spaceback, demonstrates that Skoda attaches great importance to China, the company's largest single market.

"We will continue to bring Chinese consumers products with globally leading technologies and excellent Skoda quality," said Andreas Hafemann, president of Skoda China.