"Skoda Auto Set to Enter India's Affordable Electric Vehicle Market"

Czech automaker Skoda Auto is eyeing a foray into India's mass electric vehicle (EV) segment, signaling a strategic shift in its market presence. The company is actively considering various avenues, including potential partnerships with local entities, to establish a foothold in India's burgeoning EV market.

Martin Jahn, Member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing at Skoda Auto, affirmed, "We are thoroughly evaluating the most suitable approach for tapping into India's volume electric vehicle market. Our objective is to actively contribute to the growth of the electric mobility sector and we are assessing the optimal strategies for our Indian operations. However, specific details cannot be disclosed at this stage as no final decisions have been reached."

Currently, Skoda Auto boasts a 10% share of its electric car portfolio in Europe, with plans to bolster this figure to 70% by 2030. Jahn emphasized the company's commitment to introducing electric vehicles, leveraging investments made in Europe, with the next six models slated for electrification.

"While Europe is projected to transition fully to electric vehicles by 2035, the electrification journey in India is still in its nascent stages. Factors such as reservations in certain regions, including Turkey and West Asia, may impede the pace of this transition," Jahn elaborated.

In a strategic move to expand its Indian market presence, Skoda Auto announced plans to introduce a compact SUV measuring four meters in length by 2025. This upcoming SUV, built on the MQB-AO-IN platform, will mark the automaker's third domestically manufactured brand following Kushaq and Slavia. Skoda Auto aims to double its sales in India by 2026, targeting tier-3 cities and beyond with the launch of this new model.

HBL