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News In Brief Auto

Skoda Hits 5 Lakh Production Milestone in India with Kylaq Rollout

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Skoda Hits 5 Lakh Production Milestone in India with Kylaq Rollout
04 Jul 2025
min read

News Synopsis

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) has crossed a major production milestone by rolling out its 500,000th car from its Indian manufacturing facilities. The landmark unit is none other than the newly launched Kylaq, a sub-4-metre SUV tailored for Indian buyers. This milestone reflects the automaker’s deepening footprint in India’s growing automotive sector.

The cumulative figure combines outputs from two major Volkswagen Group plants — the Chakan facility in Pune and the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar plant (formerly Aurangabad). This achievement underlines India’s increasing strategic importance in Skoda’s global operations.

From Octavia to Kylaq: A Two-Decade Journey in India

Skoda began its India operations back in 2001, starting with the launch of the first-generation Octavia. Over the years, the brand has carved a strong presence in the premium segment, offering models like the Laura, Superb, and Kodiaq, which set the foundation for new-age launches such as the Kushaq, Slavia, and now the Kylaq.

These products showcase how Skoda has consistently adapted to evolving Indian consumer preferences, while maintaining its identity rooted in European engineering and global standards.

Leadership Speaks: A Testament to Commitment and Quality

Andreas Dick, Skoda Auto Board Member for Production & Logistics:

“Reaching the milestone of 500,000 cars produced in India is a proud testament to our strategic vision of unwavering commitment to India and operational excellence."

Dick emphasized how local engineering talent and global manufacturing processes have enabled Skoda to create a flexible, scalable, and globally benchmarked production ecosystem in India.

Piyush Arora, CEO & MD, SAVWIPL:

"It’s not just about manufacturing 500,000 cars, but building and nurturing 500,000 connections."

He added that this accomplishment celebrates trust and quality, shared equally between Skoda employees and customers, and that it aligns perfectly with Skoda’s 130-year global legacy and 25-year presence in India.

India’s Role in Skoda’s Global Manufacturing and Export Strategy

India’s automotive capabilities are playing a central role in Skoda’s international expansion. The company has started using components manufactured in India to assemble vehicles in Vietnam, where models like the Kushaq and Slavia will now be produced for Southeast Asian markets.

This move is aligned with the Indian government’s ‘Make in India, for the World’ initiative, highlighting the country’s emergence as a key export hub for high-quality automotive manufacturing.

Strong Contribution from Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Plants

Of the 5 lakh vehicles produced, around 70% rolled out from Skoda’s Pune plant, with the rest coming from the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar facility. Both plants continue to follow world-class quality and sustainability benchmarks, with growing capacity for both domestic and international markets.

This achievement reinforces the importance of local production in driving Skoda’s presence in price-sensitive yet rapidly modernizing automotive markets like India.

Kylaq: The 500,000th Milestone Vehicle

The Kylaq, Skoda’s latest offering in the sub-compact SUV segment, carries the distinction of being the 500,000th vehicle produced in India. Designed to meet the demand for affordable yet premium urban mobility, the Kylaq is expected to further strengthen Skoda’s position in India’s high-growth SUV market.

Record Sales and Market Momentum in 2025

Earlier this year, Skoda Auto India achieved its best-ever monthly sales performance, delivering 7,422 vehicles in March 2025. The surge is attributed to:

  • Consistent product innovation

  • Enhanced customer engagement

  • Competitive pricing

  • Growing consumer trust in the brand

The production milestone complements these record sales figures, indicating a positive growth trajectory for the automaker in India.

Conclusion: A Milestone That Signals Future Growth

Skoda’s 5 lakh production milestone in India is more than just a numerical achievement — it’s a reflection of the brand’s commitment to India’s automotive journey. From introducing global models tailored for Indian needs to becoming an export hub for Southeast Asia, Skoda’s strategy is clearly aligned with India’s manufacturing potential and consumer aspirations.

As the company celebrates 130 years globally and 25 years in India, it is poised for a new chapter driven by innovation, scale, and sustainability.