Twenty-five years ago, Skoda Auto entered the Indian market, laying the foundation for what would become a remarkable success story.
In January 2000, the Czech automaker established its manufacturing plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), becoming the first Volkswagen Group brand to set up operations in India. The Octavia, Skoda’s first locally assembled model—initially built at a rented facility—quickly won over Indian car enthusiasts. Over time, models like the Fabia, Rapid, Superb, and Kodiaq gained traction among Indian buyers.
Today, Skoda has strengthened its presence with locally developed models like the Kushaq, Slavia, and the recently launched Kylaq, its first sub-4-metre SUV. The brand’s reputation is further reinforced by multiple industry accolades.
A major turning point came in 2018 when the Volkswagen Group entrusted Skoda with leading its operations in India. As part of this initiative, Skoda developed the MQB-A0-IN platform, designed specifically for the Indian market. The first model built on this platform, the Kushaq, entered production in Pune in 2021, followed by the Slavia sedan a year later.
The newest addition to Skoda’s Indian lineup is the Kylaq, which competes in the high-demand sub-4-metre SUV category—responsible for nearly half of all car sales in the country. The model received an overwhelming response, securing 10,000 bookings within just ten days of its launch. With this expansion, Skoda is on track to achieve its target of selling 100,000 units annually in India by 2026.
India has now evolved into a strategic hub for Skoda, playing a crucial role in the company’s global expansion. The market continues to be a gateway for growth across the ASEAN region, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand.