[volkman10]

Volkswagen Group India consolidates into a new entity: ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited.

The regulatory authorities approved the transformative merger of Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd. (VWIPL), Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt. Ltd. (NSC) and ŠKODA AUTO India Pvt. Ltd. (SAIPL)
› The merger of the three Volkswagen Group passenger car companies is a crucial milestone in the INDIA 2.0 project
› Gurpratap Boparai appointed Managing Director of the new company
› The integration will make more efficient use of the existing synergies in this important growth market

The merged entity will be referred to as ‘ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited’ (SAVWIPL). The entity will be led by Mr. Gurpratap Boparai, who will assume the role of its Managing Director. The company will be headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, operate two production facilities in Pune and Aurangabad, and have regional offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, and other locations across the country. The integration will make more efficient use of the existing synergies in this important growth market.

The emergence of the merged entity with a strong brand portfolio – Volkswagen, ŠKODA, Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini is envisioned to serve across market segments and budgets. These brands shall retain their distinctive identities, dealer network as well as implementing their own customer experience initiatives. However, they will be pursuing a shared vision and strategy for the Indian subcontinent.

The first step in the model campaign will involve ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited launching a mid-size SUV model that will be available from both ŠKODA and Volkswagen. The company will be presenting the studies at the Auto Expo 2020, which is held in New Delhi from 6 to 9 February 2020.



Skoda

[volkman10]

As Skoda takes the reins of the group for India, it chalks out its plans ( already known though) while going through memories of the past, chalks out the Vision of the Group for India.



INDIA: FROM A NATION OF MOPEDS TO A NATION OF CARS ?

It is mopeds, not cars, that continue to dominate Indian roads, where wild-roaming cattle are commonplace. This prevalence of two-wheelers could, however, be about to change. And ŠKODA is set to be one of the drivers of change.

Volkswagen Group has entrusted ŠKODA with the management of the INDIA 2.0 project, meaning the company will be responsible for the development of the MQB-A0-IN chassis platform and the Volkswagen Group’s plans for a model offensive on the Indian market.

The Technology Centre opened in Pune in January 2019, 250 specialists will develop cars tailored to the needs and requirements of customers in the Indian subcontinent.

- Preparations for the local development and production of new ŠKODA and Volkswagen models are in full swing. The introduction of a design study for a new ŠKODA based on the MQB-A0-IN platform is slated for next year.

-Expect the first products – for both the ŠKODA and Volkswagen brands – to be rolled out by 2020-21, starting with a mid-sized SUV based on the MQB-A0-IN platform

- This will be followed by a ŠKODA-spearheaded model campaign

FOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INDIAN MARKET

1.WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT IT?

The Indian car market has played an understated role on the world’s passenger car market up until now, given the size of its population. The over four million passenger car sales in 2018 elevated it to the world’s fourth largest passenger car market, sandwiched between Japan and Germany and just behind the US and the global leader, China. India is predicted to overtake this neighbour as the world’s most populous country in the next few decades.

2.WHAT'S NEW?

The near global magnetic draw towards SUV/crossovers hasn’t passed India by. The growing market share going to these vehicles, despite the smaller budgets and fiscal restrictions heavily influencing vehicle dimensions, are sculpting a new face for India’s roads

3.WHO’S STRONG?

The Indian market is dominated by locally-established Asian manufacturers with a market presence stretching far back. ŠKODA, active on the Indian subcontinent since 2001, having sold more than a quarter of a million vehicles since then and consistently increasing its sales in recent years, aims to carve out more of a foothold on this hugely promising market from 2020

4.WHAT’S NEXT?

From 2020, new emissions standards will be enforced, marking a new chapter in India’s passenger car market. The government has decided to skip an emission standard norm, jumping directly from the current BS-IV (Euro 4) to BS-VI (Euro 6). Thanks to early developments, all Volkswagen Group models based on the “INDIA 2.0” strategy will be compliant

Electric:

To reduce emissions further and narrow exposure to imported energy sources, the Indian ministry of power has proposed a 30% electric vehicle sales target by 2030. However, infrastructure will have to be dramatically improved by then, with a recent study by Here Maps showing that Mumbai has just a handful of public charging stations. The Volkswagen Group is poised to respond as soon as the Indian market is ready for electric vehicles.

Another trend in India is the growing Mobility-as-a-Service sector.

One of the largest smartphone-based ride hailing services in India, OlaCabs, with more than 150,000 drivers, aims to help reach the milestone of having one million electric vehicles – including three-wheelers – on India’s roads by 2021.

Link

[volkman10]

Skoda's CUV for India will not be KAMIQ nor a derivative of it , but will be a compact SUV based on T CROSS, and will get a NEW name.





While T Cross will be a premium offering SKODA will be more affordable.

an SUV that's based on the T-Cross, but with major modifications to make it appealing and affordable to Indian buyers. Sitting nearly alongside but a tad more premium will be the VW T-Cross itself, albeit again heavily modified and therefore likely sporting a different name.

Both cars will use VW's MQB-A modular platform and drive on the much-touted 1.0 TSI small displacement turbocharged engine as the mainstay. Both will also sport an automatic variant.

No diesels as noted before will be on offer.


Link

[volkman10]

Skoda is evaluating a Coupe for India .

[ATRONIX]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Skoda is evaluating a Coupe for India .

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Attachment 1926910

It's probably the Skoda Kamiq Gt which was spotted in its production ready guise in China recently.

Source: https://m.autohome.com.cn/news/20191...vareaid=102624

Via: https://forum.autocarindia.com

[Timothy]

I am planning to buy the Skoda Octavia 1.8 Tsi. Does anyone know if this engine is BS VI compliant or would it be discontinued from 1st April 2020 ? I am concerned about paying so much for a new car whose engine may get phased out within a few months. Look forward to your views / advise.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by Timothy

I am planning to buy the Skoda Octavia 1.8 Tsi. Does anyone know if this engine is BS VI compliant or would it be discontinued from 1st April 2020 ? I am concerned about paying so much for a new car whose engine may get phased out within a few months. Look forward to your views / advise.

Highly likely to be wholly phased out as globally the 1.8 is being replaced by a 1.0, 1.5 or a 2.0. Currently, it MIGHT be BS-VI ready but Skoda has not bothered to get it certified as such by ARAI. I am expecting "SKODA INDIA" to sell off every Octavia/Superb with this 1.8 definitely by 31 March 2020

So, to answer your question this engine will be phased out, yes.

[Timothy]

Many Thanks itwasntme ! So it would be better to avoid Octavia as I really don't wan't to be struggling for spare parts once this engine is phased out. Are there any interesting cars/SUVs coming within the 20-25 L range in the next few months. Nothing that is currently available interests me. I was looking at taking advantage of the 30% depreciation that the Govt. is offering for this FY. Any advise recommendations would be most welcome.

[volkman10]

Under the Skoda leadership, Volkswagen to transform into an SUV brand in the Indian market.

Every new product from Volkswagen in India will now be a SUV

- Will not bring small cars or the B segment sedan type categories ( Polo/ Vento ? )

- Will continue to have the existing cars with face-lifts ( Vento, Polo)

- A SUV in the space of Creta / XUV to be luanched first

- An undisclosed model in the works, with both cars to be retailed under VW and Skoda brands, and will also include their left hand drive variants for the export markets. ( T Track ?)

Link

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by Timothy

Many Thanks itwasntme ! So it would be better to avoid Octavia as I really don't wan't to be struggling for spare parts once this engine is phased out. Are there any interesting cars/SUVs coming within the 20-25 L range in the next few months. Nothing that is currently available interests me. I was looking at taking advantage of the 30% depreciation that the Govt. is offering for this FY. Any advise recommendations would be most welcome.

I would not panic, the engine may be phased out but parts are available for at least 10 years and there is a good supply network

[Octy17]

Originally Posted by Timothy

Are there any interesting cars/SUVs coming within the 20-25 L range in the next few months.

The only car that would be coming from the Skoda/Volkswagen stable would be the Karoq from Skoda and T-Roc from Volkswagen. And both the cars are likely to get the 1.5 TSI.
I would have added the Octavia VRS 245 that is India bound sometime next year but Skoda plans to bring it down as a CBU this time around instead of CKD.
My suggestion to you would be to pick up the Octavia 1.8 TSI while the stocks last. That is one of the most fun and mind blowing cars to drive cars this side of 30 lakhs amongst all the cars on sale currently.

[Timothy]

I test drove the 1.8tsi , its a beautiful car. I am still driving my Honda Civic for 10 years , so I tend to maintain my cars really well and keep them for a long time, thats the reason for my apprehensions for a car whose engine is going to be phased out in the coming months. As per law the company is required to provide spare parts for 10 years after discontinuation but its always a hassle..... I am not keen on the new civic since I have been driving my old one for a while. The Beamers & Audis are not within my budget. So the search continues. May be I might get a good deal on the 1.8tsi early next year or before the BS VI kicks in and will let my heart overrule my head. Thanks for listening to my laments:-)

[volkman10]

The first CUV from the group will be from Skoda.

Skoda KAMIQ arrives in India for testing and development.

Link (Skoda Kamiq spotted in India)

[volkman10]

Already known info:

Skoda concept will preview small SUV for India.

Skoda will unveil an SUV concept in February that will preview the first model underpinned by a new low-cost platform developed in India by the automaker.

The concept will be shown at the Delhi auto show from Feb. 7-12. The production version will go on sale by the end of next year and will be joined by a notchback on the same platform at the beginning of 2021

Skoda is leading the development of the low-cost platform, called MQB A0, for its parent, Volkswagen Group. The program includes two cars for the VW brand, including a small SUV.

Cars using the platform are not expected to be adapted for sale in Europe.

if we want to be competitive, we have to meet exactly the demands of our customers in India. They are different from what we see in the rest of the world

Link

[Turbo_anup]

In the segment where kamiq is to come, diesel volumes still account for substantial lot. On top of that, we have established Japanese, Korean and Chinese rivals, who have had good acceptance of their product in Indian market & have diesel as an option. Further, aftersales issues still plague Volkswagen - Skoda group in India - which they have not yet been able to align or control till now