Czech car maker Skoda today named former Renault India Deputy MD and Chief Operating

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Officer Sudhir Rao as the Managing Director of its Indian arm.

In a statement, Skoda Auto India said Rao will assume charge from March 1.

"We are very pleased to be hiring Sudhir Rao as Managing Director (MD) for Skoda Auto India. He is a top automobile manager with many years of experience and an international background. He also knows the Indian market perfectly," Skoda Auto CEO Winfried Vahland said.

Rao quit Renault India earlier this month after playing a major role in establishing the French brand in India and also in setting up of the Renault-Nissan plant in Chennai at an investment of Rs 4,500 crore.

"Under his responsibility, Skoda Auto India will vigorously continue its successful evolution of the past ten years and further consolidate its good position," the company said.

The Indian market has great importance for Skoda's 2018 growth strategy under which it is aiming to raise worldwide sales to a minimum of 1.5 million per year.

In 2011, Skoda's sales in India increased almost by 50 per cent to about 30,000 vehicles.