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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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has announced its wholesale figures for July 2026, selling 60,048 SUVs, marking a 20 percent YoY growth, over 49,871 units sold last year.

On the other hand, the company’s light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales grew by 23 percent to 25,204 units, as compared to 20,464 units for the same period last year.

The LCV <2-tonne segment saw wholesales of 3,870 units, up 40 percent YoY, while the LCV 2-tonne to 3.5-tonne segment witnessed a 21 percent YoY jump to 21,334 units.

Three-wheeler sales (including electric) came at 14,538 units, up 53 percent YoY, as compared to 9,475 units sold last year.

Exports at 4,070 units saw a 47 percent YoY jump, albeit from a low-year-ago base of 2,774 units.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “In July we achieved SUV sales of 60,048 units, delivering growth of 20 percent. The total vehicle sales stood at 103,860, a 26 percent YoY growth reflecting all-round demand traction across the portfolio.”

Also read: Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Secures INR 3.22 Crore Funding At INR 108.22 Billion Valuation

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced its financial results for Q1 FY2027.

The company reported net sales of INR 499.59 billion, up 36 percent YoY, as compared to INR 366.206 billion for the same period last year. The net profit saw a decline of 10 percent YoY, to INR 33.52 billion, from INR 37.58 billion, on the back rise in material cost due to the ongoing geopolitical situation.

During Q1, the wholesales grew by 29.3 percent YoY, with domestic small car sales seeing 34 percent growth, while SUVs and exports clocked 44.6 percent and 28.6 growth YoY, respectively. 

Maruti Suzuki India said its inventory level was at 13 days, despite sales growth on the commissioning of its second plant in Kharkhoda.

The company also has announced an investment of INR 5.61 billion towards setting up 4 compressed biogas (CBG) projects, which would serve as a key learning opportunity to plan future expansion for the same.

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has received the 2026 Red Dot Brand & Communication Design Award in the Interior Architecture category for the office space at its Pune manufacturing facility.

The selection represents the first instance of an automotive manufacturing site receiving a Red Dot Award for its administration and employee support facilities. The design layout at the Pune plant combines individual workspaces with open collaboration zones. The office incorporates employee support infrastructure, including a mother care room, dedicated meditation rooms, meeting areas fitted with writing surfaces to address language differences, personal lockers, and central document storage units for paper-based operational workflows.

Architecturally, the building utilises biophilic design elements, including interior landscaping, a central courtyard configuration and upcycled terrazzo flooring. The spatial design was developed following workforce analysis covering employee demographics, gender diversity and team communication patterns.

Tarun Garg, Managing Director & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said, “Winning the prestigious Red Dot Award is a proud milestone for Hyundai Motor India and for the global manufacturing community. The award-winning facility at our Pune Plant demonstrates how thoughtful workplace design can positively influence collaboration, employee well-being and operational excellence. Every space has been created with our people at the centre, encouraging innovation, inclusivity and sustainability while reflecting Hyundai’s global design philosophy. This recognition reinforces our commitment to building world-class manufacturing ecosystems where exceptional products begin with exceptional workplaces.”

The award acknowledges the integration of administrative facility design within an industrial automotive context, setting standard practices for employee environment design in manufacturing complexes.

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Hyundai Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has strengthened its Board with the elevation of Mukundan MS as Whole-time Director, effective 1 September 2026.

He is a mechanical engineer holding a Master of Business Administration (MBA), currently serves as Function Head of Production in the Chief Manufacturing Officer's office. His career spans 25 years across plant operations and production management, including supervision of capacity expansion at Hyundai's Chennai Plant 1 and integration of mixed internal combustion engine and electric vehicle assembly lines.

In addition, Young Geon Kim has been appointed to a leadership role effective 1 August 2026. Kim possesses three decades of experience in vehicle manufacturing, production technology and plant operations. Having joined Hyundai Motor India in 2025 following senior roles during the setup of Hyundai's Brazil manufacturing plant, he has overseen Genesis production readiness, Chennai plant integration and facility setup initiatives for the company.

On the other hand, Gopalakrishnan CS, Whole-time Director, Hyundai Motor India, is set to retire on 31 August 2026, due to superannuation.

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