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skoda: Skoda to launch electric vehicle in India soon

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Czech carmaker Skoda Auto will enter the electric vehicle (EV) market in India by driving in a fully-built model in the next 12-18 months. “First things first, we would like to test the market with a readymade unit from Europe,” Petr Solc, brand director at Skoda Auto India, told ET.

Eventually, Skoda plans to have a wide combination of EVs including some vehicles as parts and components, some fully-built units, and some produced locally in the years to come, he said. The pace of introduction will depend on how charging infrastructure for EVs develops.

“The Indian market is getting more and more important for Skoda,” Solc said. “Now we are the third biggest market for Skoda brand globally. And, actually, the biggest market for Skoda out of Europe.”

Having seen its volumes grow after rolling out Kushaq SUV and Slavia sedan under India 2.0 programme, Skoda is considering increasing investments to expand its portfolio across both ICE (internal combustion engine) and EV segments, he said.

India has emerged as one of the fastest growing markets for passenger vehicles in the world in recent times, with sales this year expected to be close to four million.

Skoda’s sales volumes in India are expected to more than double to about 50,000 units this calendar year as compared to 23,858 units in 2021. The company has sold 44,500 units in the first 10 months of 2022. Prior to this, it had clocked best-ever annual sales a decade back at about 34,000 units.

Solc emphasised India 2.0 is a new start for Volkswagen Group in India.

“So, definitely our focus is to broaden our product portfolio and to look at the ICE market, to bring really the right components,” he said. “SUV is only one part of our strategy in ICE. On top of that, we will be looking also at sedans.”

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