Skoda is planning to launch a new compact SUV for the Indian market. Sources report that the new compact SUV will be developed under the India 2.5 plan, and the production of the car will commence in 2025. Reports suggest that Skoda Auto’s chief executive Thomas Schaefer revealed that the next Skoda product is likely to be based on the MQB-A0-IN platform, which is a highly Indianised version of the popular MQB or Modular Transverse Matrix architecture. Furthermore, the new sub-four-metre SUV is likely to be Made-in-India and exported abroad.
Under the new India 2.5 project, the brand is actively studying additional models on the MQB-A0-IN platform. Reportedly, Thomas Schaefer has called it a ‘working title’ in the past. It appears that the brand has a solid plan now, and Thomas could be putting it into effect when he will be taking charge of India operations. Schaefer will be taking over India operations from 1st April.
Skoda’s Compact SUV – Competition
The compact-SUV segment is one of the hotly contested segments in the Indian market. The brand will primarily rival the Tata Nexon SUV along with the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Kia Sonet, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, Hyundai Venue etc. Thanks to the sub-four-metre rule that attracts fewer taxes in the Indian market, the brand will be able to price the car at competitive pricing. Nevertheless, the Skoda Compact-SUV is still likely to be a premium option and command a premium price tag in the Indian market.
Volkswagen Group’s MQB-A0-IN Platform
The versatile MQB-A0-IN made its debut with the Skoda Kushaq, followed by the Volkswagen Taigun and recently, the brand has introduced the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus sedans. A fifth vehicle is likely to balance the economies of scale, and the brand is also likely to introduce a Volkswagen counterpart using the same platform but a different top-hat. More details on this are yet to come.
Also Read: 2022 Skoda Slavia Review
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