Skoda was given the opportunity to lead the Volkswagen group’s India 2.0 Project. Under which 4 news cars were launched with their new MQB A0 IN platform designed specifically for the Indian market. Now, Skoda is looking to enter the most competitive Subcompact SUV segment.
What seems to be named the India 2.5 Project, Skoda is working on this new compact SUV that will be made and sold in India and also exported to other markets. Thomas Schäfer the CEO of Skoda mentioned that “The Sub-4m segment is very specific for India. Thus, we would like to have a car that looks so good, while also is sub-4m, that we can use it for exports. I have challenged our team to do exactly this and not only make it shorter to fit the rules but make it to be something for exports as well.”
Skoda Subcompact SUV
Skoda has had an amazing 2021 with a good amount of sales and plenty of products launched globally. India witnessed three of those products, the Octavia, Kushaq and Slavia. Since the launch of these products, their sales are steadily rising. In fact, they registered an MoM growth of 50% in February 2022.
All thanks to their new flexible MQB A0 IN platform. They have shown that both SUVs and midsize sedans can be built on this particular platform. Now they have taken up the challenge of developing a sub-4m SUV over this.
Of course, the company is still trying to understand the potential of this platform and the cars that be built. Certain changes have to be done to accommodate the subcompact SUV. They also intend to achieve a high level of localization. Skoda aims to develop the car and start producing it by Jan 2025 in India.
Thomas further added “The Cornerstone for this is to have total control of the platform because that’s where all the cot is and that’s when we can make it happen or not. This is why we worked so hard to get control of the platform MQB A0 global. By working together with our other regions like South America, Africa, Russia and India, it will be the scale we need to get out of the platform to make it feasible in the sub-4m segment. It’s on the cards, the team is almost there. We need more localization but as usual, we will bring this home. The MQB A0 IN platform is ready for this.”
At the moment the subcompact SUV segment is filled with players such as the Tata Punch, Renault Kiger, Nissan Magnite, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Mahindra XUV300 and the upcoming Citroen C3.
Volkswagen management reshuffle
Thomas Schäfer, the current CEO of Skoda will be named as Volkswagen’s Chief Operating Officer effective from April 1st, 2022. He was previously responsible for VWs South African Operation and was appointed as the Chairman of Skoda last August which is a very short tenure.
Skoda is yet to name the replacement for Schäfer, the current VW CEO Ralf Brandstätter will join the VW Group Board. Later in August, he will lead VW’s China operations.
FAQs
1. Is Skoda a German carmaker?
No, Skoda Auto is a Czech Republican carmaker owned by the German car giant Volkswagen Group.
2. Does Skoda sell EVs?
Yes, Skoda sells the Enyaq Coupe RS iV and Enyaq iV electric cars internationally. It is yet to introduce them in India.
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