It was in March last year when Skoda Auto India entered into car leasing services space with Orix Auto Infrastructure Services Ltd. Back then, one could lease a Rapid, Octavia, Superb and even a Kodiaq for up to five years in eight metro cities across India. What the company has now introduced is called ‘Clever Lease’. This one too is with the same partner. But, only two models are available for leasing – the Rapid and the Superb.

In Skoda’s words, “With a gamut of flexible solutions: plain, dry, or wet lease, one can avail monthly rentals for a tenure of 24, 36, 48 and 60 months”. Depending on the package chosen, the monthly rental will start at Rs 22,580. And, the company is offering this service to salaried individuals, working professionals, small and medium business enterprises, corporate entities, and public sector units/undertakings.

As was the case earlier, the leasing service is available in eight metro cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Skoda says that a nationwide rollout will follow in the subsequent phase, as part of the ‘India 2.0’ project.

So, why lease a car from Skoda? The company will take care of everything from road tax, insurance, breakdown assistance and accidental repairs, to end-to-end maintenance, scheduled tyre and battery changes and a replacement vehicle. Other pluses include customised services, subscription-based payment models, zero down payment and avoiding the burden of depreciation in the resale market.

Several automakers have expanded their businesses into car leasing services. It provides a platform for those who want a new car without the hassles of maintenance and insurance premiums. Skoda recently introduced the Rapid with an automatic transmission. That too is available on lease. In the first half of next year, the company will introduce the highly-anticipated compact SUV. We saw it in concept form – the Skoda Vision IN – at the 2020 Auto Expo.