In January 2000, the Czech car manufacturer
Škoda Auto laid the foundation stone for its plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (known as Aurangabad until 2022) and was the first Volkswagen Group (VW) brand to establish a presence in India, with the Škoda Octavia the first model assembled locally. India has now become a key market in Škoda’s internationalisation plans, helping the company to effectively leverage existing sales potential in the ASEAN region, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.
On behalf of VW, Škoda Auto has been spearheading all activities in the region jointly since 2018. Today, the brand has developed and now produces three models locally in India for India. Based on the localised MQB A0–IN platform, these are: the Kushaq; the Slavia; and the Kylaq compact SUV.
Škoda Auto’s CEO Klaus Zellmer said: “We have built on 25 years of experience in India to make this thriving market the cornerstone of our international growth strategy. With its tremendous talent pool, growing consumer demand, and access to other markets, India is becoming our second pillar outside Europe and helping leverage further sales potential in ASEAN, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific region. Škoda has been a notable brand in India since we entered the market with the Octavia in 2001.
“We now manufacture in two plants and have launched three all-new models specifically for India, achieving a localisation of up to 95%; and in the last two years we have also increased ‘customer touchpoints’ across the country by 35%. India also contributes to the global sustainability goals of Škoda Auto; one plant already runs entirely on green energy, while the plant in Pune expanded its photovoltaic system to deliver up to 30% of its electricity needs.”
“Furthermore, the quality and reputation of Škoda’s vehicles in India is reflected not only in strong customer interest but also in numerous prestigious awards. For instance, the Škoda Slavia was named India’s ‘Sedan of the Year’ in 2022 and won
Car of the Year 2023 at the Acko Drive Awards.”