Skoda Auto New SUV, Rivals of Tata, Kia, Hyundai & Mahindra
Skoda Auto India is maintaining its momentum in the Indian market with another significant move. Following the success of the Kushaq and the Slavia, the company has announced plans for an all-new compact SUV set to debut in India in the first half of 2025.
Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Skoda Auto as, emphasized the importance of India in the global growth strategy of Skoda Auto. He noted that the Indian market’s strength, coupled with its role as a development and manufacturing hub for expansion into new markets like ASEAN and the Middle East, underscores the significance of this region for the company. With sales in India more than doubling since 2021, Skoda is now gearing up to introduce a new compact SUV in 2025, aiming to capture an increased market share for the Volkswagen family of brands by 2030.
The introduction of the MQB-A0-IN platform with the Kushaq in 2021 has been pivotal for Skoda Auto India’s strategy. This platform, developed jointly by teams in India and the Czech Republic, focuses on high localization, low ownership costs, and swift turnaround times. Dr. Johannes Neft, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development, highlighted the technical prowess of the MQB-A0-IN platform, which has enabled the successful launch of the Kushaq and the Slavia. The new compact SUV will also be based on this platform, maintaining Skoda’s DNA of superior driving dynamics, safety, and quality.
Martin Jahn, Member of the Board of Management for Sales & Marketing, emphasized Skoda’s global growth trajectory, with India playing a pivotal role. Having crossed the milestone of 100,000 sales over the last two years, thanks to locally developed and produced models like the Kushaq and the Slavia, Skoda is committed to further strengthening its presence in India. The new compact SUV will complement the existing SUV portfolio, catering to a key segment that contributes significantly to overall vehicle sales in the Indian market.
Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) highlighted the company’s strategy of leveraging local R&D expertise to incorporate highly localized parts and components across its range. With the upcoming compact SUV, Skoda aims to enhance its local supplier base, offering globally standardized parts at competitive prices. This aligns with the company’s vision to actively participate in India’s evolving mobility landscape.
Jan Bures, Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing, and Digital, emphasized the role of locally manufactured models in driving substantial volumes for Skoda Auto India. The new compact SUV, built on the versatile MQB-A0-IN platform, is expected to further contribute to the company’s sales growth in India.
Petr Janeba, serving as the Brand Director of Skoda Auto India, radiates enthusiasm when discussing the imminent debut of the brand’s latest addition to its lineup, the all-new compact SUV. With a steadfast commitment to fostering customer engagement and bolstering overall satisfaction, Skoda sets its sights on achieving an impressive milestone: reaching an annual sales volume of 100,000 vehicles by the year 2026
The all-new compact SUV will mark Skoda’s entry into this segment in India. With a planned launch in the first half of 2025, the vehicle will embody Skoda Auto India’s commitment to developing cars tailored for the local market while maintaining global standards of quality and safety.
Skoda Auto India’s commitment to the Indian market is further demonstrated through its manufacturing facilities in Chakan and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. These facilities support the company’s expansion and growth plans, as part of Skoda Auto’s Next Level Strategy.
The introduction of the all-new compact SUV underscores Skoda Auto India’s commitment to India and its importance in the company’s internationalization plans. With the launch of this new model, Skoda aims to deepen its footprint in India’s automotive market while offering customers a compelling and competitive product lineup.