It wasn’t the grandeur of the event or the promise of a stunning new SUV that left me speechless. It was the line that revealed my name, as one of the Chief Guests
BHPian Dr.Vikas recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
DreamRun- Beyond the Wheel
Doesn’t matter how life unfolds, but surprises often come unannounced, like a sudden burst of sunlight through a clouded sky. I never imagined that just a routine call from an unsaved number, would unravel an experience so extraordinary it would feel like a DREAM. But as they say, A SURPRISE can only be believed when you truly Live it !
It was a lax afternoon when I received a call intending to invite me for a new SUV Launch event at Kolhapur, that soon followed by a formal invitation on my WA with an elegant card that announced the launch event of the flagship Premium SUV, The New Škoda KODIAQ !
My heart skipped a beat while going through the details. The event was being hosted by Shrine Skoda, a dealership now under the stewardship of Unique Automobiles Kolhapur Pvt. Ltd.- a name synonymous with trust and excellence in the town. But it wasn’t the grandeur of the event or the promise of a stunning new SUV that left me speechless. It was the line that revealed my name, as one of the Chief Guests.
Chief Guest? Me?
I blinked, rereading the words as if they might vanish. The idea felt surreal, like a page torn from someone else’s story. I was just an ordinary man who had fallen in love with Skodaindia years ago.
My journey with the brand began when I drove home my the first Škoda Fabia 1.2 TDI from this very dealership in 2010. That car wasn’t just metal and wheels- it was a companion through life’s milestones: family road trips, quiet drives under starlit skies and countless moments of pride as I parked it gleaming in garrage.
But to be honoured as a Chief Guest at a flagship Premium SUV launch? That was really beyond anything I’d ever dreamt of.
2025 Skoda Kodiaq Launch Event
The day of the event arrived and I found myself on dot at the Veranda of Hotel Ramee Panchsheelvenue for the event transformed into a stage of elegance and anticipation. The air buzzed with excitement, the scent of polished leather and new beginnings mingling with the chatter of guests in the background of light music.
The Kodiaq stood at the center though covered, but its bold stance and commanding presence drawing every eye. It was more than a car- it was a statement of power and sophistication, a testament to Škoda’s legacy of innovation.
As I stepped forward to take my place among the dignitaries, I felt a rush of emotions. The spotlight wasn’t just on the KODIAQ but on a story that began fifteen years ago with a modest Fabia that eventually further continued with a Skoda Octavia 1.8 TSI and a Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI 4×4.
The team from Unique Automobiles Kolhapur Pvt. Ltd. greeted me warmly, sharing how my loyalty to the brand had inspired them. We spoke about Fansofskode community, previous events and adventure drives etc.
When the moment came to unveil the KODIAQ, I stood alongside the team, my hands trembling with pride. The curtain fell, revealing the SUV in all its glory- sleek, powerful and ready to conquer new horizons.
The crowd erupted in applause, but for me, the moment was deeper. It was a celebration of trust, of a bond forged over years and of a surprise that made me feel seen, valued and part of something bigger.
To mark the grand celebration, the unveiling was followed by a customary ceremony of cutting a Cake that depicted New KODIAQ on it.
I then delivered a short briefing on how the Fansofskode community was formed during the World Dynamic Premiere of Skoda Slavia in 2022 and it’s journey till date covering the exclusive participation of Škoda customers in the company events, workshops, meet ups and adventure drives etc. I believe, SkodaIndia could be the only Automobile company that invites their loyal customers regularly to participate in such activities.
As I drove home that evening, the city lights blurring past, I thought about surprises. They don’t just happen- they’re built on moments, choices, and connections that weave silently into the fabric of our lives. My Fabia had been more than a car, it had been a bridge to this night, to a stage perhaps I never imagined I’d stand on.
The New Škoda Kodiaq isn’t just another chapter for SkodaIndia- it is a reminder that sometimes, the road takes you exactly where you’re meant to be.
Cheers
Happy Motoring, Guys.
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