Czech automaker Skoda Auto is celebrating its silver jubilee milestone in India. The OEM had entered the Indian market in January 2000 and had laid the foundation stone for its plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) making it the first Volkswagen Group brand to establish a presence in the domestic market.

The Skoda Octavia was the first model by the Volkswagen Group to be assembled locally in India.

Skoda Auto shared that its India operations plays a key role in its global plans, which has enabled to effectively leverage existing sales potential in the ASEAN region, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

It was in 2018, that Volkswagen Group appointed Skoda Auto to spearhead all activities in India jointly since 2018. Fast forward to present, Skoda has developed and produces three models locally in India for India, based on the localised MQB A0–IN platform: the Kushaq, the Slavia and the Kylaq compact SUV. 

Klaus Zellmer, CEO, Skoda Auto, said, “We have built on 25 years of experience in India to make this thriving market the cornerstone of our international growth strategy. With its tremendous talent pool, growing consumer demand, and access to other markets, India is becoming our second pillar outside Europe and helping leverage further sales potential in ASEAN, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific region. Skoda has been a notable brand in India since we entered the market with the Octavia in 2001. We now produce in two plants. We have launched three all-new models specifically for India, achieving localisation of up to 95 percent: the Skoda Kushaq, Slavia and just recently the Kylaq compact SUV, which complement the Octavia and Superb we also sell through a growing dealer network. In the last two years, we have increased customer touchpoints across the country by 35 percent. India also contributes to the global sustainability goals of Skoda Auto. One plant already runs entirely on green energy, while the plant in Pune expanded its photovoltaic system to deliver up to 30 percent of its electricity needs. I want to thank all our Indian colleagues for helping power the next stage of our growth, and especially our customers for their trust in our products. With this passion, we can achieve even greater things in the next 25 years!"

Piyush Arora, MD & CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “Skoda was the first brand to establish Volkswagen Group’s presence in India, setting up its first plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar back in January 2000. As Skoda celebrates 25 years in the country, the Group’s focus on the Indian market continues to strengthen. With evolving consumer preferences, we are introducing products that combine the Group’s global expertise with a deep understanding of the Indian market. Today, our model lineup features advanced vehicles designed and built specifically for India, including the newly unveiled compact SUV, Skoda Kylaq.”

“This dynamic market has become the foundation of Skoda’s internationalisation strategy, driven by our commitment to innovation, safety, sustainability and customer-centric solutions. We are dedicated to enhancing our manufacturing capabilities & sales touchpoints and advancing our sustainability initiatives to deliver long-term value to our customers, employees, and communities,” added Arora.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hyundai Motor Europe has appointed Wolfgang Würth as Director of PR & Communications, effective 1 October 2025. In this role, he will lead the development and execution of an integrated communications strategy, overseeing all public relations, product and corporate communications activities across the region. Würth will report directly to Xavier Martinet, President & CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe, as a key member of the company's leadership team.

His primary focus will be on positioning Hyundai as a leading innovator in electric mobility, leveraging his strong passion for technological advancement and responsible transportation. Würth brings over 20 years of extensive experience in the automotive and technology sectors, with a background in brand strategy, digital marketing and social media from senior international positions at Mercedes-Benz AG and, most recently, smart Europe GmbH. He is also a graduate of the Executive MBA programme offered by the University of St. Gallen and ETH Zurich.

Martinet said, “We are pleased to welcome Wolfgang to the team. With his extensive knowledge and experience in the automotive industry, and his proven ability to craft compelling narratives, Wolfgang will play a key role in driving our brand forward. His expertise will be fundamental as we accelerate our growth and continue to redefine mobility across Europe.”

Würth said, “I am honoured to join Hyundai, a brand of progress, with a unique design philosophy and empowering technology. I look forward to working with the talented teams to strengthen the brand’s presence and inspire our customers across the continent.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) has officially announced the introductory prices for its new SUV, the Victoris, with a starting price of INR 1.04 million. The company stated that sales for the vehicle will begin on 22 September 2025.

Targeting young and dynamic customers, the Victoris is designed to cater to a digitally integrated and ‘Always Online, Always On The Move Lifestyle.’

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, “We have received an incredible response for the VICTORIS ever since its launch earlier this month. Customers have expressed overwhelming appreciation for the Victoris SUV, especially its intelligent technology, hyper-connected features, progressive and sleek design and all-round safety. Building on this euphoria, we are delighted to announce introductory prices for the Victoris, starting at INR 10,49,900. Armed with versatile powertrain options that are tailored for adventurous and environmentally responsible buyers of today, the VICTORIS is powered by high-end technologies such as strong hybrid, Allgrip Select, S-CNG and Smart Hybrid. With its robust performance, 5-star safety~ and cutting-edge features, the Victoris truly has ‘Got It All’—making it aspirational, yet accessible for today’s youthful SUV customers who seek experiential lifestyles.”

The Victoris is offered with a variety of powertrain options, including strong hybrid, Allgrip Select, S-CNG, and Smart Hybrid technologies. It boasts a 5-star safety rating and is available in 21 variants and 10 colour options (three dual-tone and seven monotone). The new SUV will be sold through Maruti Suzuki ARENA showrooms.

Here is the full price list for the new Maruti Suzuki Victoris (all prices are ex-showroom)

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, is leaving no stone unturned to mark its aggressive strategy to reinforce its leadership position.

The company, which recently introduced the Victoris SUV, to further cement its position in the SUV space, has made owning the vehicle more attractive with the model scoring a 5-star safety rating for both adult and child occupants under the new Global NCAP standards.

This makes the Victoris the second model after the Dzire sedan (last year) to score a 5-star safety rating, thus clearly indicating a focussed approach towards improving vehicle safety.

Global NCAP crash tested the Victoris, which comes with six airbags, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and pedestrian protection as standard.  

The results found that the structure and footwell areas are rated as stable and can withstand further loadings. All body regions for adult occupants showed adequate to good protection in all crash test scenarios. 

Side impact and pole test showed full head protection. Global NCAP also found that 18-months old and 3-year-old child dummies showed full protection in the rearward facing child seat with ISOFIX anchorages and support leg.  

Richard Woods, Chief Executive Officer, Global NCAP, said, “The five star Victoris clearly demonstrates Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to improved safety for its new models. It continues the trend set by the Dzire launched last year which also achieved five stars.  We warmly welcome Maruti Suzuki’s engagement with the requirements of Global NCAP’s new protocols. The result is a significant vehicle safety victory for motoring consumers in India.”  

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Škoda UK has appointed Philip Taylor as the new Head of Network Sales, with his tenure commencing on 1 November 2025. Taylor brings a wealth of experience to the role, having dedicated 16 years to various positions within Volkswagen Group UK.

His career has encompassed a diverse range of both brand-specific and broader Group functions, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the automotive sector. Most recently, Taylor held the strategic position of Head of Product and Planning at Volkswagen Passenger Cars UK. His leadership during this period was a significant contributing factor to the brand achieving the notable status of the UK's best-selling new car brand. A key highlight of his tenure was his instrumental role in steering the successful market introduction and launch of the brand's pivotal all-electric ID. model range.

In this new capacity, Taylor will be taking over from Kevin Rendell, who is departing Škoda UK to assume the identical role of Head of Network Sales at Volkswagen UK. This move represents a strategic exchange of seasoned commercial expertise within the Volkswagen Group family, with Taylor's proven track record in sales and product strategy positioned to further accelerate Škoda's ongoing growth and success in the UK market.

Taylor is joining Škoda UK at a particularly auspicious time for the Czech manufacturer. The brand is currently experiencing a period of considerable commercial success and critical acclaim, having recently achieved its highest-ever UK market share.

Matthew Bowden, Brand Director, Škoda UK, said, “I’m very pleased to welcome Phil to the Škoda  UK team. He will bring a wealth of experience built from his varied roles across the Group, which I am sure will prove invaluable as we move into the next stage of our growth plans.”

Taylor said, “I’m very excited to join the Škoda team. The brand has developed impressively over the years, and is now a major player in the UK market with a very strong, award-winning model line-up. I am really looking forward to working with the UK team and its retailer partners to help continue its successful momentum.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!