Made-in-India Skoda car is expected to be on the roads by 2020 and will be underpinned by a tweaked version of the MQB-A0 platform.
Working hard to crack a fool-proof strategy for emerging markets, the Volkswagen Group has already proposed a massive investment running into thousands of crores for increasing production and development of new products. Comprising of Volkswagen and Skoda among other biggies, the group plans to enter the volumes segment to get a much-needed sales boost in markets such as India. Also an integral part of its new car strategy, the made-in-India Skoda car is among the list of initial products lined up for a launch in India.
We already know that the group’s plan is being monitored by the Indian division of its Czech subsidiary Skoda. In India, the brand has a small product portfolio concentrated in the premium segment and is expected to tap into the affordable segment with a premium hatchback. Rivalling the likes of the Maruti Baleno and Hyundai Elite i20, the new car is expected to be launched by the end of this decade after a probable debut at the 2020 Auto Expo. While details about the engine options and other specifications are unclear, it has been confirmed by the company that this model will sit on a modular MQB-A0 IN platform.
The Volkswagen MQB-A0 IN platform is a slight deviation from the standard chassis and will be developed for emerging markets with cost-effectiveness getting huge priority. This revision could also cause the platform to lose some of its structural provisions which are otherwise required to meet global market standards. Since the car is expected to be launched at around the same time when Bharat NCAP would be enforced, the made-in-India Skoda car will be built keeping the country’s norms and requirements in mind. Without a doubt, the India-specific platform will be lighter in weight which will benefit the car in more ways than one.
To keep production costs under check, the company is in talks with local suppliers for the platform and expects a production output of around 5 lakh units which will suffice for meeting the demand of other export markets as well. Apart from electric vehicles, a mid-size sedan and a Creta-rivalling SUV is also being planned under the new car strategy. Skoda aims to reach a market share of 5% by 2025 and has high expectations from the upcoming cars built on the MQB-A0 IN platform. Its current portfolio comprises of the Rapid, Octavia, Kodiaq and Superb.
Volkswagen MQB-A0 IN
– Made-in-India premium hatchback from Skoda to be launched by 2020
– Will utilise the MQB-A0 IN platform tweaked for emerging markets
– Local production of platform being sought to keep costs under check
– New car will primarily compete with the Maruti Baleno and Hyundai Elite i20
