Skoda decision

VOLKSWAGEN Group Australia is in the final stages of nutting out the return for its Czech brand Skoda.

"We are still negotiating," explains Volkswagen Australia general manager Jutta Dierks.

"The decision has not been made. It is now up to headquarters (in Wolfsburg," she adds.

Although Mrs Dierks describes the outcome as "totally unpredictable," she is confident of a positive outcome, once the verdict is decided in December.

If the green light is given, expect Skoda to arrive in Australia sometime in the second half of 2007.

The Roomster mini people mover and Golf-based Octavia small car are the most likely candidates.