Celebrating a Quarter-Century: Skoda Auto's Journey in India
23 days ago | 5 Views
Skoda Auto is commemorating 25 years of its operations in India, having entered the market in January 2000. The Czech automaker was the inaugural representative of the Volkswagen Group in India and established the groundwork for its manufacturing facility in Aurangabad, now known as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, in Maharashtra. With a legacy spanning 130 years, the brand has now dedicated a significant quarter of a century to the Indian automotive landscape.
25 years of Skoda Auto India
Skoda India commenced its operations in a temporary facility before the establishment of its manufacturing plant, allowing for the local assembly of its first model, the Octavia. Launched in 2001 within the premium D-segment, this sedan quickly gained acclaim for its impressive driving performance and spirited petrol and diesel engines. The triumph of the Octavia facilitated the introduction of additional global models from the brand, such as the Superb, Laura (the second-generation Octavia), Fabia, Yeti, Karoq, and Kodiaq.
Skoda has primarily focused on the premium segment of the mass-market sector, offering models such as the Octavia, Laura (the second-generation Octavia), Superb, Kodiaq, Yeti, and others, all of which are assembled locally in India. The company subsequently collaborated with its parent company, Volkswagen, to establish a second manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, Maharashtra. This partnership facilitated the production of more locally manufactured vehicles, including the Rapid, and introduced the latest made-in-India models: the Kushaq, Slavia, and Kylaq, which boast over 95 per cent localization, as reported by the company. Regarding its operations in India, Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Skoda Auto, remarked, “We have leveraged 25 years of experience in India to position this dynamic market as a cornerstone of our global growth strategy. With its vast talent pool, increasing consumer demand, and access to additional markets, India is evolving into our second pillar outside of Europe, enhancing our sales potential in the ASEAN region, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific.” Piyush Arora, MD & CEO of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, stated, “As Skoda commemorates 25 years in India, the Group’s commitment to the Indian market continues to deepen. In response to changing consumer preferences, we are launching products that merge the Group’s global expertise with a profound understanding of the Indian market. Our current model lineup includes advanced vehicles specifically designed and manufactured for India, such as the newly introduced compact SUV, Skoda Kylaq.”
India a key contributor to Skoda's international plans
Skoda has indicated that India has played a pivotal role in its internationalization strategy, allowing the brand to capitalize on the existing sales opportunities in the ASEAN region, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand. Recently, the automaker expanded its reach into Vietnam by exporting vehicles from its manufacturing facility in India.
The newly introduced Skoda Kylaq represents the brand's most accessible model, and the manufacturer expects this subcompact SUV to play a significant role in enhancing overall sales figures. In addition to its global ambitions, Skoda Auto has been at the forefront of all its operations in India for the Volkswagen Group since 2018. The company spearheaded the India 2.0 initiative, which led to the creation of the MQB A0-IN platform. This extensively localized platform has already resulted in five products, including the Kushaq, Slavia, and Kylaq under the Skoda name, as well as the Taigun and Virtus under the Volkswagen label. Skoda Auto India projects that the new Kylaq will substantially contribute to the brand's overall sales, with a target of selling 100,000 vehicles annually in India by 2026.Read Also: India-Manufactured Jimny 5-Door Now Available in Japan as Jimny NomadeGet the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!#