Skoda Auto has launched the series production of the new Rapid compact sedan.

According to the company, the world premiere of the all new Rapid will be celebrated at the end of September.

The newest model series, the automaker said is of central importance for the Skoda growth strategy and will be introduced in European markets first beginning in October of this year.

The launch of the series production of the Skoda Rapid is a special moment for us.

“The car sets new standards in the compact class and is an important pillar of our ‘Growth Strategy 2018.’

“The entire Skoda team has worked with great commitment toward this day, the new Rapid will roll off the assembly line.

“This car will highly appeal to our customers and strengthen the position of Skoda in the international markets even further,” said the automaker.

At the current time, Skoda modernises and expands essential production areas in its main plant for the production of the Rapid and the future new Octavia.

With the production of Rapid, Skoda said the production capacity of its Assembly Line I in Mlada, Boleslav, will be increased successively from 800 to 1,200 vehicles per day in the future.

“This expansion, while production continues simultaneously on both lines, is a logistical and engineering masterstroke of our production, planning and logistical teams.

“We will successfully realise a fundamental expansion of capacities in our main plant with this,” Skoda said.

“In order to launch the production of the Skoda Rapid, various measures will be implemented in 17 production halls in Mlada, Boleslav with a total of 173 individual projects to be realised.

“The measures involve over 141 planners as well as 2,000 employees of external companies. The original assembly line will receive new facilities for the assembly of the Skoda Rapid, for example for the mounting of modules such as the cockpit, front end or chassis, as well as for filling the manufactured vehicles with liquid media such as oils, fuels or coolants; they also include new testing facilities, conveying systems as well as handling technology.

After the expansion of the production halls, the assembly line has grown by almost one third.

Due to the upcoming production launch of the new Skoda Octavia, Skoda will continue its construction measures and the expansion of the logistical capacities during the coming months,” Skoda said.

In the first half year of 2012, the automaker said it had manufactured approximately 530,000 vehicles worldwide.

The new Skoda Rapid is expected to be produced with a lot of space, an expressive design, an excellent performance ratio, comprehensive safety equipment and economic engines.

The sedan will complement the current model range between the smaller Skoda Fabia and the larger Skoda Octavia, making it part of the high-volume compact car segment.

This segment represents about 36 per cent of the global automobile market and within this segment, called the ‘A-segment,’ 42 per cent are sedans.

According to industry experts, the number of sold vehicles of this type will increase approximately 50 per cent until the year 2020.