Skoda and Volkswagen Group India open new technology centre in Pune

Skoda and Volkswagen Group India open new technology centre in Pune
-250 new jobs created for the targeted development of local skills
-VW and Skoda to invest around 250 million euros in R&D for INDIA 2.0

Skoda India and Volkswagen today opened a new technology centre in Pune, India. At the new Technology Centre, 250 engineers will develop vehicles tailored to the needs of customers in the subcontinent. To ensure maximum market proximity, Skoda aims to achieve radical localisation of 95 percent, meaning that almost all vehicle components will be made in India.

Commenting on the opening of the centre, Gurpratap Boparai, managing director of Skoda Auto India, said “The technology center will lay the foundation for the development of products that are specially designed for Indian market.” 
We expect to roll out the first products, for both the ŠKODA as well Volkswagen brands, by 2020-21; starting with a midsized SUV based on MQB A0 IN platform. A model campaign, led by Skoda, will follow. I am convinced that we can use all the strengths of Skoda to the great benefit of the entire Volkswagen Group,” he added. 

This mid SUV will make its debut in concept form at the 2020 Delhi Auto Expo with a production version expected to arrive later next year. The opening ceremony was attended by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and other government officials. On behalf of the Volkswagen Group, Skoda is leading the INDIA 2.0 project, which sets out the Volkswagen Group’s model campaign on the Indian market.