NEW DELHI: Volkswagen, one of the leading automakers in the world, on Friday officially assigned to Skoda the responsibility of cracking the Indian market. One-and-a-half years ago, it had designated Skoda Auto to develop a sustainable model campaign for the Skoda and Volkswagen brands in the Indian volume segments.
“After one-and-a-half years of intensive work, we are firmly convinced that together with Volkswagen, we now have a suitable approach to bring the right vehicles into the Indian market at the right time. I am confident that we can make the ‘INDIA 2.0’ project a success,” Skoda Auto CEO, Bernhard Maier said.
According to a Skoda Auto statement, all models will be designed and produced locally in future and would be based on Volkswagen’s MQB platform. Skoda Auto will launch a volume segment model based on sub-compact MQB A0 platform by 2020. The company will also be responsible for the production of the group’s vehicles in India under both Skoda and Volkswagen brands.
“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 Škoda model based on the A0-IN platform is scheduled for 2020,” the announcement said.
Skoda is confident that with the MQB platform, it will now be able to standardise components, dimensions and production processes, which will help in lowering the overall cost and time required to rollout a new car.
The project will be headed by Gupratap Boparai, Managing Director of Skoda Auto India, who has joined the company a few months ago from Fiat India.
On a standalone basis, Skoda offers four models in India - the Rapid, Octavia, Superb and Kodiaq -and has seen 31 per cent jump in sales in 2017, whereas Volkswagen, which also sells a range of models including Polo, Ameo and Vento here, saw a dip in sales.