SMART automobile has recently included 5 brand new SKODAs into
its modest fleet of 500 vehicles, bucking an industry of Toyota
Crowns, Nissan Cedrics, and Mercedes.
the 5 new vehicles, Skoda da Superbs, took delivery yesterday from
the local agent for the Volkswagen-owned brand, which is Czech
Auto.
Said Mr Johnny Harjantho, managing director of SMART
Automobiles:
"The Superbs will be marketed as a premium service, such as Airport
Limousine.
The Superbs, which boosts lots of legroom can also be flagged down
at a rate of $3.00 (a premium of 60 cents over the normal
cabs).
We will start with 5 (Superbs), and if they prove to be reliabvle
and popular, we will buy more."
Cabbies who drives the Skodas will pay a daily rental fee of $98
(10% more than their toyota counterparts).
The Skodas are equipped with Euro-IV emmission standards, which
qualifies from a sizeable tax break. The 5 Superbs has a 2.5 Litre
turbo diesel V6 engine and costs more than $70,000 (marginally more
than the 3L toyota crown). Mercedes Benz cabs costs around
$110,000.
SMART will also start to try out a Mercedes-Benz bi-fuel. This merc
is capable of using petrol and CNG..
the 5 new Skoda da Superbs reg. no. range:
SHB9002E, SHB9003C, SHB9004A, SHB9005K, SHB9006U. all uses the
electronic front display (found on Comfort cabs as well).
The 5 Skoda Superbs are registered on 04/08/2005
and will retire on 03/08/2013
(05 August 2005 The Straits Times HOME page
H6)
MORE information of Skoda Superbs can be found HERE
