The project will be headed by
the Managing Director of Skoda Auto India Private Ltd, Gurpratap Boparai, who joined
the company recently, after having served with Fiat in India.
Going forward, Skoda Auto is
taking on an even more important role for Volkswagen Group in the development
of the Indian car market. As part of the ‘India 2.0’ project, Volkswagen
Group’s position in this important growing market is to be strengthened for the
long term. “Volkswagen Group has tasked us with this responsibility, thereby
highlighting the level of trust that Volkswagen Group’s management places in
the expertise of the Skoda team,” said Skoda CEO, Bernhard Maier, after the
Board of Management and Supervisory Board had given the project the go-ahead.
Around one and a half years ago, Skoda Auto was given the task of developing a
sustainable model campaign for the Skoda and Volkswagen brands in the Indian
volume segments.
All models designed and
produced locally in India in the future will be based on Volkswagen Group’s MQB
platform, which already fulfills the stricter legal requirements for India that
come into force in 2020. With the ‘India 2.0’ project, Skoda Auto is also
taking over responsibility for the sub-compact MQB A0 platform, initially with
a focus on India (MQB-A0-IN).
Preparations for the
India-based development and production of the new, technologically pioneering
volume models for the Skoda and Volkswagen brands are already in full swing.
The introduction of the first Skoda model based on the A0-IN platform is
scheduled for 2020.
“We are firmly convinced that
– after one and a half years of intensive work – together with Volkswagen we
now have a suitable approach to bring the right vehicles into the Indian market
at the right time. We will present the first model built on the new MQB-A0-IN
platform as early as 2020,” said Maier, adding, “I am confident that we can
make the ‘India 2.0’ project a success.”
What are the fundamental
advantages of the MQB? By standardising components, dimensions and production
processes, costs are lowered and production times are reduced. Furthermore, the
MQB increases flexibility when developing new vehicles. Most of the technical
development will take place in India.
The continued
internationalisation of Skoda Autois one of the cornerstones of its 2025
Strategy. In 2017, Skoda Auto was able to increase deliveries in India by more
than 30 per cent compared to the previous year. The growing sales figures in
India emphasise that the Skoda model range is attractive for Indian customers
and provides an excellent foundation for further growth.
Last year, a total of 17,100 Skoda
vehicles (+31.4%; 2016: 13,000 units) were delivered to customers in India.
Today, Skoda Auto India Private Ltd offers four Skoda models: the Rapid,
Octavia, Superb and, since October 2017, the Kodiaq. The Rapid is produced at
the Pune plant, whilst the Octavia, Superb and Kodiaq models are manufactured
in Aurangabad, which is also where the company’s headquarters are located.
Source: Skoda Auto India