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Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() | ![]() VAG board approves India plans. First Model role out by 2020. The project manager will be the Managing Director of Skoda Auto India Private Ltd., Gurpratap Boparai, who is a great connoisseur of the Indian automotive market. Skoda to drive Volkswagen’s comeback in India . As part of the ‘India 2.0’ project, Skoda will take over development work of the sub-compact MQB – A0 platform with a focus on the India-specific MQB A0-IN. Quote:
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![]() Last edited by volkman10 : 22nd June 2018 at 15:45. | ||
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Team-BHP Support ![]() ![]() | ![]() Whoa! That's a surprise. Sharing the full press release here: Quote:
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BHPian Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kochi
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| ![]() I hope this is for good and they don't do another flip-flop. I am really happy that all future models are going to be based on the MQB platform (A0 or otherwise). I sincerely hope the VW group gets its act in terms of products, pricing (total cost of ownership), timing and most importantly the service experience right this time. |
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Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bangalore
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| ![]() I think this is going to turn Skoda and VWs fortunes around in India. Skoda seems to have a better idea of what products Indians want and their pricing, but have been hamstrung by a lack of new models in the lower end of the budget spectrum. As an owner of now the cheapest Skoda available in India since end 2013, I can vouch for the improvement in after sales service to the point of now being "acceptable", though far from class-leading yet. More service opportunities will give centres more earnings and impetus to add more centres as well. They're late to the the small-SUV party, but it is still the right idea. Skoda still commands brand recognition and respect, probably because of the lack of visibility and premium-only portfolio of late (other than the Rapid of course). I only hope that Indianness doesn't creep into the quality of interior plastics and build, the USP of the brand being quality and built to last. Edit: Isn't 2020 an extremely aggressive timeline for a brand new product? I think they're going to re-style the Karoq for India or similar. Minimise design time and start testing immediately. Last edited by VeluM : 22nd June 2018 at 17:45. Reason: Edit. |
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Newbie Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: coimbatore
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| ![]() Well, Skoda does have a handicap : lousy reputation regarding after sales and high cost of maintenance. The way forward is to fix this, not through fancy brand building / high power celebrity advertisement, rather through honest results on the ground. Genuine care for customer, Maruti / Hyaundai style, and easy availability of spares !!! Could even take a leaf out of the Ford book and sell select spare parts over the counter! |
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BHPian ![]() Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: MH 03 / KL 08
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| ![]() The following statistics does prove why both the companies should not abandon India. A huge sigh of relief on that end. But seem like the PQ25 platform will have a few more years left in it as Skoda is not retiring it any time soon. And Fabia might do a come back for that premium hatchback segment. If the 13% first-time buyers booking of Verna is anything to go by, the Fabia can satisfy the appetite of many new car buyers. Last edited by suhaas307 : 24th June 2018 at 13:51. Reason: Formatting and removing attachment link |
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BHPian ![]() Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: New Delhi
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| ![]() Is the MQB-A0-IN a cheaper/stripped down version of the international MQB platform? Renault has been heavily criticised for the Captur/Kaptur fiasco, what are we to make out of this? Last edited by suhaas307 : 24th June 2018 at 13:52. Reason: Typo: beem - been |
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BHPian ![]() Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: BLR
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| ![]() The Skoda Vision X will be the first model based on MQB AO IN platform. The IN tag would mean that they cut down on the well built factor - something they have already done with the MQB. A drive with the Octavia and the Rapid will let you know that the Rapid is more well built than its bigger sibling. Looks like they are wise onto what Indians prefer - a rear antenna over good handling. The end result will never be a better car - but it will certainly be cheaper. Just hope they don't rope in Tata to help with the development as they did earlier. Pics of the Vision X: ![]() ![]() |
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Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() | ![]() Quote:
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FOUR cars from the group in starting from 2020. Quote:
VOLKSWAGEN defines new Group structure more precisely: brands assume responsibility for regions: Quote:
-SEAT will be responsible for the growing market in North Africa. -AUDI will coordinate the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region except China. - Responsibility for China will be retained by the Group - ŠKODA is to be responsible for the markets of Russia and India and is to sustainably strengthen the market position of the Group in the growing market of India with the “INDIA 2.0” project and the related model offensive of the Volkswagen and ŠKODA brands Quote:
Last edited by volkman10 : 23rd June 2018 at 11:17. | |||||
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BHPian Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Chandigarh
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| ![]() This is something to look forward. This will make or break Skoda's chances to succeed in their India 2.0 project. If the resultant product is too flimsy and is made "cheap", it is going to be yet another disaster. But if they manage to build reasonably fit products and doesn't lose out much to their trademark built-quality & powerful engines, just like TATA managed to do in recent past, it will be a game changer for Skoda/VW in India. |
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BHPian ![]() Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Pune
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I had the pleasure to drive a 330i, S5 and a 1.8 TSI recently link yet the external build quality of the Octavia and the S5 was similar that says a lot. 330i was better in terms of the sheet metal but it had much more roll than even the Octavia 1.8 TSI. Cant say anything about the IN tag on the MQB but on its own its better than the likes of PQ35 and I have been researching these platforms for a long long time link . The platform matters "Safety-wise" even if someone says they don't. The MQB is computer modeled to put high strength steel where it is needed most in accordance to billions of crash simulations. The only real platform that would be better would be one which has high strength steel everywhere but this will add weight to the body. | |
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BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mumbai
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| ![]() Insider information says that VW killed the fabia to bring out the polo. Skoda insiders feel that if they were allowed to continue with the fabia they would be outselling the polo by far as they are doing today with the rapid over the vento. Rapid is apparently outselling the vento 2 to 1 |
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Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() | ![]() Quote:
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BHPian ![]() Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NCR/Turin
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| ![]() People who are after cars with thick sheet metal, sorry to burst your bubble but all cars will get a lighter and lighter body for weight saving. This has nothing to do with saving and if you believe that the new Octavia isn't as safe as the Rapid because of a sound of the doors closing, then you are in for a surprise. |
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Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: May 2012 Location: BLR/PTR
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| ![]() I feel VW should stop selling cars and focus on Skoda for India. Elsewhere Skoda is the cheaper sibling to VW, but not the case in India. Brand Skoda is quite powerful and some people weigh it more than VW. Unless there is enough product/price differentiation, VW and Skoda are always going to eat into each others share. |
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