[A M]

Originally Posted by AccordSport

Golf is essentially a Jetta hatch and in no way they can bring it <16lakhs forget 14 lakhs!

They should focus on next iterations of Polo, vento and T-Cross. Golf, Jetta, Tiguan & Atlas (VW Kodiaq :P ) can be CKDs.

But anyways India is not their focus now

I'm aware of this fact. I have only mentioned something that, in my opinion, will float their boat in India.
And why should we say that they cannot bring it to India at this price? This word should come from the manufacturer along with the rationale behind it.

[Flyer]

Originally Posted by i74js

Also, equally amazing would be to see C2 segment sedans in petrol only avatars from VAG lineup; I doubt if other players will give up diesel so very easily even after Euro VI coming into effect.

Toyota is already offering petrol only in this segment. VAG has now decided to discontinue diesels in lower segments after BS VI.

Are we going to see only petrol cars below D segment post 2020? No news yet on this from other manufacturers like Suzuki, Honda, Ford etc.

[AccordSport]

Originally Posted by A M

I'm aware of this fact. I have only mentioned something that, in my opinion, will float their boat in India.
And why should we say that they cannot bring it to India at this price? This word should come from the manufacturer along with the rationale behind it.

I agree that everyone is bound to have their own opinions. I was just trying to say that is not a reasonable range.

[arun687]

Autocar Interview with Skoda CEO, Bernhard Maier

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMl1CfZk2B8

[Flyer]

Skoda appoints ex Tata Motors employee as head of engineering for India 2.0 project.

Gorden Calder appointed Vice President and head of the Engineering Centre at Skoda Auto India with responsibility to develop all-new product portfolio on MQB-AO-IN platform.

Calder’s appointment as vice-president and head of engineering is significant as Skoda has appointed an outsider for this key role and not someone from within the VW Group. “We needed someone who has good experience dealing with suppliers and understands the manufacturing ecosystem in India.” said a source.

Calder comes with significant India experience having worked in Tata Motors since 2012. Calder led the body engineering team of Tata Motors’ passenger car division and was responsible for developing the Bolt, Zest, Tiago, Tigor and Nexon. He moved to a strategy role in 2016 and was briefly responsible for product planning of the company’s SUV portfolio, until he left the company a few months ago.

Prior to Tata Motors, Calder has had stints all over the world with EDAG, Ford and Nissan, primarily as a body engineer. Skoda will be counting on Calder’s expertise to tailor the VW Group’s MQB-A0-IN platform to meet local requirements and strict costs targets, which is essential for the success of the India 2.0 project.

Looks like they have got the right man for the job. Link

[volkman10]

VW has reasons to believe it has a recipe for success in India with the following reasoning:

- German automaker is going it alone

VW previously targeted a partnership -- first with market leader Suzuki, which ended in acrimony in 2015, and last year with Tata Motors. Nothing came of that, either.

- VW Group cars have always been too expensive to make a big impact in India, but has a plan now.

The cars were over-engineered in comparison with competitors

-To help cut costs, VW is aggressively localizing its MQB A0 small-car platform in India

- But even with the localization, the MQB A0 architecture will still be sophisticated, pushing up pricing,but the cars would be lightweight thanks to body shells made of aluminum and hot-formed, high-strength steel.

- VW also believes on something else to make its cars more cost-effective in India: its rivals becoming more expensive

With new safety standards and emissions norms, the cost of the cars has to increase for everyone

- In 2020, India plans to enforce Bharat Stage 6, which is roughly equivalent to Euro 6 in Europe. VW said its new range of cars will adhere to those emissions standards.

The Group predicts that the combination of closer price parity with its rivals, reduced production costs, a doubling of the dealership network within four years and "best-in-class" customer satisfaction will take VW Group's share in India to 5 percent by 2025, up from 1.6 percent now.

They sum it up:

We mean business. The proof is in [the size of] the investment

Link

[volkman10]

A LWB variant of this car is the likely to be the first CUV from VW for India,







Link

[AlphaKilo]

Originally Posted by AccordSport

...

But anyways India is not their focus now

Good for us! They are not going do any more scandals

With Skoda taking over Indian market from VW, I am sure Skoda would like to maintain its premium image and start with basically polo as the cheapest car and use Ameo, vento platforms or platforms based on them specifically tuned for India like markets. The Skodas will be costlier starting Rapid and upwards.

@Volkman10: "- In 2020, India plans to enforce Bharat Stage 6, which is roughly equivalent to Euro 6 in Europe. VW said its new range of cars will adhere to those emissions standards."

- No they won't. Audi is still to modify its vehicles to adher to Euro 6d Temp and even most of the Euro 6 vehicles of VW group have been tested to be not adhering to Euro 6 norms. They are arm twisting the German government as much as they can in the name of job losses. I am forced to believe that they will do more than that in India.

[LandCruiser]

VW is not focused on India. It is very clear. They do not have any strategy. Skoda do not have good small cars. They need to come up with a sub 15L SUV and sub 10L small car (not really a tiny car).

VW has been peddling the polo and vento for nearly 10 years in this market without bringing in new generation models. Really pathetic effort from their side. They have done nothing to reduce service costs (ex. child parts).

The new polo, gold at competitive prices with good service packages will really help. But VW is blind and deaf now.

[LandCruiser]

Originally Posted by volkman10

A LWB variant of this car is the likely to be the first CUV from VW for India,

Attachment 1780733

Attachment 1780734

Attachment 1780735

Link

T cross is good, need this in India without making it look cheap and missing out features.

[LandCruiser]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Both will arrive in 2021, after the launch of the C/SUV, T Cross and 'Vision X concept' from Skoda.

2021 is too late for vento replacement.

[volkman10]

Here is VW's rival to Hyundai's Creta. All details revealed in the video.

For India the CUV is expected to be 4.2-4.3m in length. Coming in the first half of 2020. Expect the pricing to be in the same range as Creta.

Petrol engines are the ones of interest to India.

The 1.0l TSI, 94bhp and 160Nm of torque, linked to a five-speed manual gearbox. The second petrol bumps things up with 113bhp/200Nm and a six-speed transmission.
These might also be joined by a 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI DSG in time.

Expect the same engines for Skoda's version of the CUV- Vision X Concept.

Has it got enough to take on the market leader?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FZa-zGIzjg

More on the CUV. Link

[A M]

Germans are known for their diesel engines. Unless it comes with a diesel option, the appeal would be very limited. Moreover, a 1L engine, even though a TSI, is not something that sounds appealing in a car of this size. Also, there will be no tax benefits for this car (>4m). I think VW should focus on bringing the 1.5L DSG right from the launch along with a diesel option.

[avira_tk]

This is the closest competitor to the Creta and it's coming with a 3 cylinder, being a VW, it'll be short on kit compared to the Hyundai. Hyundai has the market to itself in the foreseeable future, they just need to roll out variants with better kit in a year's time at most.The 3 cylinder will have the economy of a 1.8tsi on hard acceleration, most compact suvs are driven with a full load of passengers and luggage, petrol is unsuitable in such a use case, especially the small ones.

VW can't compete on cost or service network. Hyundai can wait and then roll out Creta versions with LED lights, fancy audio and ventilated seats(just listing the possibilities). A turbo engine for the petrol wouldn't be hard, simply put, this will be an option in the market, nothing to shake Hyundai. The truth is that VW will have capacity to serve a market like India only by 2020-21, with diesel scandal bills to pay, they can't be bothered with low volume markets like ours.

[volkman10]

Now confirmation from Mr. Steffen Knapp, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India on the upcoming VW cars.

1. The next Gen Vento ( Virtus )will come in ONLY a Petrol engine variant- the localized 1.0L TSI engine in both MT and AT versions.

A diesel engine meeting the country's upcoming BS6 norms will ensure customers shell out an additional INR 1.6 lakhs (EUR 2,000). "Are you prepared to pay this amount of money

2. Polo will not be brought in as long as the 4.0 m rule in length exits.

We have a Polo available, everything is designed", if the sub-4 meter rule was removed, there are "all sorts of opportunities for India

Link