[volkman10]

SKODA to lead the VAG group in India, products identified.

Will be given the go-ahead for an estimated €1 billion investment by its Czech subsidiary,


- Skoda is likely to take over VW’s Chakan plant,which will be the production base for a slew of future high-volume models Skoda plans to develop. ( pending legal formalities)

-Three Skoda and three Volkswagen products to be developed by Czech carmaker for India and other emerging markets.

- MQB platform, the current global architecture that underpins almost all small and midsize VW Group cars

-A new engine plant - to manufacture MPI and TSI derivatives of the EA211 petrol engine family - is also likely to be a part of the fresh investment

-The MQB production line will built in parallel to the existing line, which will continue to produce cars built on the older PQ25 platform, such as the Skoda Rapid, Volkswagen Vento, Ameo and Polo. The older models will eventually will be phased out ( 2020)

- 2021 products will be a midsize SUV rivaling Hyundai's Creta , followed by a sedan and a hatchback for each of the respective brands

- The first model for both VW and Skoda will be a midsize SUV ( VW will have T CROSS and Skoda will draw inspiration from the Vision X )

-No more ‘badge-engineered’ products like the Skoda Rapid and VW Vento, and each brand will get products that are clearly differentiated with their own distinctive design

- Vento/Rapid replacement to follow the SUV development

-The competitive price sensitive hatchbacks from VW and SKODA will come last with a high degree of localization.( Eu Polo redesigned for 4 m length, Skoda FABIA to return to its fold)

-A new range of petrol engines is expected, starting from a 1-litre naturally aspirated (MPI), three-cylinder motor developing a modest 65hp to power the next-gen Polo and Skoda hatch.

-The current four-cylinder 1.2 TSI that powers the current Vento is likely to be replaced with a more efficient three-cylinder 1.0 TSI or turbo-petrol developing 115hp. The 1.0 TSI will also finally replace the Rapid’s ageing 1.6 MPI petrol (EA111).

- 1.5l TDI to be axed in 2020

- The only locally produced diesel engine option for the entire VW Group after 2020 will be the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder EA288, which will be a good option for the midsize SUV

- Diesel for Mid size Sedan ?

- No Diesel option for Smaller cars from the VAG Group for India - will be an all petrol affair?

- For Profitability and capacity utilization, exports will continue.


Source:

[Dieselritzer]

I doubt if this ambitious plan will ever see light. With the volumes they are selling in India, it does not make commercial sense investing in huge plants here, unless a major chunk of their capacity is lined up for exports. Even in that case, it becomes difficult to convince management to pump in more money in bleeding markets.

Rather, I feel they should atleast have 2 cars from different segments which bring in volumes. Get the new Polo which has good space (which is currently a huge drawback for the existing Polo). Watch it compete with i20, price it right and let it bring some volumes.

Get a good hatch or a wannabe SUV (not the Polo cross), add sense to its feature and pricing list and hopefully that should also bring in volumes.

Without the domestic market doing any good the sales number, I feel pumping in more money in India purely on capacity is a paint job on the Titanic.

[anshumandun]

Originally Posted by volkman10

A new range of petrol engines is expected, starting from a 1-litre naturally aspirated (MPI), three-cylinder motor developing a modest 65hp to power the next-gen Polo and Skoda hatch.

65hp next-gen Polo! It will be an amazing car with all bells and whistles, good handling, touch screen infotainment system and virtual cockpit like instrument cluster BUT it will not be able to go above 80 kmph.

Does VW plan to price it at par with Alto? I'm really confused.

[arvind71181]

All this is fine, what about the severe jolt that the servicing department clearly needs? The products have always (mostly) been relevant, but the rest is so completely down the drain!!

Shouldn't this be addressed first?

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by anshumandun

65hp next-gen Polo! ---

Does VW plan to price it at par with Alto? I'm really confused.

Here are the 1.0L MPI engine specs,

[Aditya]

Mod Note : Skoda to invest Rs. 8,014 crore for 6 new models - posts moved to a new thread.

[AMG Power]

VW's plans for the future are as reliable as their cars - VW asking Tata to build a small car for them / Skoda to focus only on small cars / Skoda to focus only on premium cars etc, none of which happened. So it's too early to get excited or not to get excited about anything VW plans. They usually don't see the light of day.

[TusharK]

Originally Posted by volkman10

- No Diesel option for Smaller cars from the VAG Group for India - will be an all petrol affair?

This was expected since diesel car sales have dropped in the past few years. More on that in this thread.

Secondly, the new 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine might seem inadequate at first glance but its makes about the same amount of horsepower and slightly less torque compared to the outgoing 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder unit. Still, it probably isn't the most ideal engine for the Polo.

[volkman10]

Volkswagen's Chief puts his views on the India EV strategy ( though EV is now not being aggressively spoken of now by the govt.)

- India not really prepared for Electric Vehicles at the moment for a leap towards full electric vehicles.

- In terms of technology, India should be clear what kind of technology it wants.

- Our EVs at the moment with the technology, it is little bit too early there (in India).

- New import duties (as) they are absolutely not fitting in our strategy

- There is no plan visible for the future development in term of technologies

On Duty Hike: VW could increase prices of existing cars,

It was clearly against European auto firms and this is not acceptable

VW hasn't taken a final decision on increasing product prices in India

Link

[Latheesh]

Is it a sign of VW groups exit from India?

If I remember correct even GM made big promise to India ($1 Billion) and later closed their shop in India. Hope it is not a dirty tactics to divert employees/dealers/vendors attention.

[shortbread]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Volkswagen's Chief puts his views on the India EV strategy ( though EV is now not being aggressively spoken of now by the govt.)

- India not really prepared for Electric Vehicles at the moment for a leap towards full electric vehicles.
...........

Link

Fact of the matter is for all his big talk, VW does not have a legit All Electric or Hybrid model, or at-least a popular/successful one. So even if the taxes/duties were favorable VW would be down on the list for prospective customers looking for an EV or Hybrid.

VW have been caught with their pants down in the EV march with the likes of BMW, JLR, GM, Renault-Nissan taking the lead on them. They have two planned launches for Audi and Porsche but let's see after production models actually hits the market.

When it comes to Hybrids nope, they are again way behind the game. There's Toyota, Hyundai/Kia....daylight....couple of nights and then VW!

This is despite being in a dominant position in China where the Government has had a big push for Hybrid/EV vehicles, VW was again found wanting. BYD dominates the alternative fuel scene in China and VW is playing catch up!

So while VW can claim that India is not ready for EV technology, they also need to accept that they aren't way ahead of the game either!

The fact of the matter is for decades VW enjoyed the pro-diesel legislation in Europe using dodgy tech to bypass emission regulations and claim absoloutley nonsensical mpg figures. The only thing that saved them massive fines within the EU was Germany's domination of the European Union and Merkel's weak political hand at the moment.

If VW had their way the world will stick to fossil fuels and emission regulations will be lax so that zz Zermanzz can continue to play tricks on them. Unfortunately they have been found out, and they are busy coming of their high-horse and learning to play catch up!

[Dry Ice]

They are still clueless what's the problem.

If anyone from Skoda is reading this -
You don't need to spend thousands of crores to fix things like this http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...lar-rapid.html

And it will go a long way in improving your street cred. Right now, 99% people of this country won't touch a Skoda with a barge pole - and it accurately reflects in your market-share of ~1%. Have a tight leash on your dealers, set some examples, go beyond for some customers who will in turn become your brand ambassadors and spread the good word... err.. I guess I got carried away a little there. Forgot we are talking about Skoda here. Somethings never change, do they.

[volkman10]

Skoda shows its India Plans at its Annual Press Conference at Kosmonosy - Czech.








Highlights:

- SKODA has been entrusted by the group for developing entry level plaftorm for Emerging Economies, India being the first.

- Acknowledged as not an easy task because of the fierce competition and cost.

- Platform will be the MQB AO,

- First car will be production ready in early 2021 ( SKODA Vision X based CUV)

- Final plan will be revealed in mid 2018.


Other financial and global outlook going further,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzta5ECXtgQ

[Sutripta]

^^^
India - 31.4% of what?

Regards
Sutripta

[Mad Max]

Originally Posted by Sutripta

^^^
India - 31.4% of what?

Regards
Sutripta

Previous year?

I am a bit skeptical about handing over the responsibility to the cheaper sibling. While VAG is one conglomerate, it could be better managed by VW than Skoda given it's atrocious reputation in service.

I just hope they learn from OTHER brands and not within themselves. Every single person I talk to about Skoda says "OMG! I love that Octavia, it's so sexy and amazing to drive.. ...BUT, I don't think I'll buy one since it has terrible after sales service" This from folks who have ZERO prior experience with Skoda. And to repair that, they'll need an act of God.