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.

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Kia India has announced that more than 100,000 customers have renewed their paid subscriptions for Kia Connect. The automaker has achieved a retention rate exceeding 30 percent following the expiry of the initial three-year complimentary period.

Since its introduction in 2019, the platform has evolved from its original 'UVO' branding to the current Kia Connect 2.0. Globally, the manufacturer reports an enrolment rate of approximately 97 percent. In India, the company has surpassed 500,000 total sales of connected vehicles.

The platform provides over 100 features across five categories – navigation, remote control, safety & security, vehicle management and convenience.

Kia offers three tiers of renewals – Standalone, Basic and Premium – with flexible durations. Prices for a one-year subscription range from INR 1,890 to INR 4,690, while three-year plans range from INR 3,890 to INR 9,090.

The renewal trend is supported by hardware integrations such as the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (CCNC) and software initiatives like Drive Green, which monitors sustainable driving practices.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, “Crossing the milestone of one lakh Kia Connect subscription renewals reflects the growing trust customers place in our connected mobility ecosystem. The continued adoption beyond the complimentary period highlights the everyday value we deliver through enhanced convenience, safety, and control. We remain committed to advancing our digital platforms for a smarter, more connected driving experience.”

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German automotive major Volkswagen Group has detailed the progress of its ‘In China, for China’ strategy at Auto China 2026 in Beijing. The Group is expanding its portfolio with a focus on smart electric vehicles, including four world premieres from its Volkswagen, Audi and Jetta brands.

During 2026, the Group plans to launch over 20 new electrified vehicles (NEVs), encompassing battery electric models, plug-in hybrids and range-extender variants. Following this period, the company intends to introduce a new model approximately every two weeks.

The new product includes Volkswagen’s new member in the ID. UNYX category and the first all-electric model in the ID. Aura series. The latter utilises the locally developed CEA electronic architecture.

The Jetta brand will see an all-electric show car marking the transition toward electrification.

The exterior design of the AUDI E7X, the second production model under the Group’s China-exclusive sister brand.

Porsche will mark the global debut of a new model within the all-electric Cayenne family.

The Group’s software developments are focused on Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) for urban and highway environments. These systems are developed by CARIZON, the Group’s Chinese centre for autonomous driving, which is also working on proprietary System on Chip (SoC) hardware for future Level 3 and Level 4 capabilities.

Oliver Blume, CEO, Volkswagen Group, said, “Three years ago, we launched our ‘In China, for China’ strategy to fully tap into the potential of the Chinese innovation market. We decide, we act, and we deliver. The new models we are presenting at this year’s ‘Auto China 2026’ impressively confirm that the Volkswagen Group is making good progress on its path to becoming a global tech driver in the automotive industry. China plays a central role in this. Because the progress we achieve here strengthens our competitiveness worldwide.”

Ralf Brandstatter, Member of the Board of Management for China, added, “Our ‘In China, for China’ strategy is coming into its own. In less than 36 months, we have developed a completely new product portfolio for China. Starting in 2026, we will launch a new vehicle on average every two weeks. This is the Volkswagen Group’s largest-ever electric mobility offensive in China. The Beijing Auto Show underscores the consistency and speed of our realignment.”

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Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, has reported its best-ever annual performance in FY2026 with wholesales of 641,587 units, up 15 percent YoY. This includes 631,387 units in the domestic market, up 14 percent, while exports came at 10,200 units, up 281 percent YoY.

For March 2026, the company’s sales came at 66,192 units, up 28 percent, while exports came at 779 units, up 204 percent YoY.

Interestingly, electric vehicles recorded its highest-ever quarterly sales of approximately 27,000 units, a 69 percent increase YoY. Annual EV volumes reached 92,120 units. On the other hand, sales of CNG vehicles crossed 170,000 units, up 24 percent YoY.

The Nexon and Punch models were the top-selling SUV models in the second half of the financial year. Recent launches, including the Sierra, a refreshed Punch and petrol variants of the Harrier and Safari, also saw continued customer traction.

The company expects the passenger vehicle industry to reach record annual volumes of approximately 4.7 million units, reflecting an 8 percent growth. Tata Motors emerged as the second-ranked player in the industry based on Vahan registrations during the second half of FY2026.

Shailesh Chandra, MD and CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said, “PV industry sales are expected to reach record volumes of around 4.7 million units for the year, reflecting 8 percent year on year (YoY) growth. The industry witnessed a strong rebound in the second half, posting double digit growth, supported by GST 2.0 implementation and a robust festive season. For Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, FY26 has been a landmark year marked by multiple milestones. We achieved our highest ever annual sales volumes of over 640,000 units, delivering industry beating growth of 15 percent YoY and ended it with strong positive momentum. Looking ahead, industry momentum is expected to sustain, led by growth in SUVs, CNG and EV. At the same time, the industry will need to closely monitor geopolitical developments to mitigate potential supply-side risks.”

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Honda Cars India (HCIL), a leading manufacturer of passenger vehicles, has recorded domestic sales of 7,585 units in March 2026, up 5 percent YoY, as compared to the 7,228 units sold last year. The company also reported exports of 2,451 units for the month.

The sales growth was supported by demand for the Amaze and Elevate models. Honda Cars India intends to expand its vehicle lineup in the upcoming financial year, with the launch of its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) scheduled for the second half of the year.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, “Demand for all Honda models specially Amaze and Elevate continues to be strong with exciting promotions and product offerings which helped us achieve 5 percent growth during Mar 2026. We are excited to enter the new fiscal with plans to expand our lineup, including the launch of our first BEV in the second half. We remain highly optimistic that our strong focus on customer satisfaction will continue to drive growth and sustain positive momentum.”

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