As part of the ‘INDIA 2.0’ project, Volkswagen Group has given Skoda, the responsibility of developing new models based on the MQB A0 platform, with an initial focus on the Indian market.
The company will work on a derivative of the MQB A0 platform – MQB-A0-IN – which is for the sub-compact segment, and the first model will be introduced as early as 2020. Technical development will predominantly take place in India
“Volkswagen Group has tasked us with this responsibility, thereby highlighting the level of trust that Volkswagen Group’s management places in the expertise of the Skoda team,” said Skoda CEO, Bernhard Maier, after the Board of Management and Supervisory Board had given the project the go-ahead.
The company further said that the MQB platform already fulfills the stricter legal requirements for India that comes into effect in 2020.
VW Group has been aiming for a larger share in the compact segment in India, and it can be recalled that an (MoU) with Tata Motors was called off in just a few months after signing.
“We are firmly convinced that – after one and a half years of intensive work – together with Volkswagen we now have a suitable approach to bring the right vehicles into the Indian market at the right time. We will present the first model built on the new MQB-A0-IN platform as early as 2020,” said Maier, adding, “I am confident that we can make the ‘INDIA 2.0’ project a success.”
The project will be headed by the Managing Director of Skoda Auto India, Gurpratap Boparai, who assumed office in April this year.
According to the company, the fundamental advantages of the MQB are that the costs are lowered and production times are reduced. Furthermore, the MQB increases flexibility when developing new vehicles.
The continued internationalization of Skoda Auto is one of the cornerstones of its 2025 Strategy. In 2017, Skoda was able to increase deliveries in India by more than 30 percent compared to the previous year. The growing sales figures in India emphasize that the Skoda model range is attractive for Indian customers and provides an excellent foundation for further growth, the company said.
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