Skoda Auto is looking at India as its “second pillar” outside Europe as it gears up for a major push into electric vehicles.
CEO Klaus Zellmer says the Czech carmaker, which leads the Volkswagen Group’s operations in India, plans to fully localise its CMP21 platform, originally developed in China, so it can build EVs tailored for Indian buyers.
Zellmer points out that while Skoda is Europe’s third-largest carmaker and one of the world’s most profitable volume brands, leaning too heavily on one region is risky. “The second leg, clearly, is India. That is why we are so serious about it,” he said, noting how other automakers have learned the hard way from overdependence on China or the US.
The CMP21 platform won’t be just for EVs either; it could support multiple powertrains. Skoda has already brought in a few Enyaq electric SUVs to test the waters, which Zellmer said went “pretty successful”, but the real action will start once the CMP21 platform is fully localised. He added the group is also considering another small EV to meet CO₂ norms, but wouldn’t share details yet.
India 2.0, the Volkswagen Group’s programme launched in 2018 with a 1 billion Euro investment between 2019 and 2021, has already delivered results, especially with Skoda’s Kylaq compact SUV. Sales have doubled this year over 2024, Zellmer said, calling it “a success story”. Skoda Auto Volkswagen India today oversees five brands: Skoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini.
Asked about reports of another 1 billion Euro investment, Zellmer said the group has never confirmed such plans. He also ruled out bringing Europe-focused cars like the Skoda Epic to India, stressing the need for “cars made for India and made in India.” He also welcomed the recent GST rate cut on automobiles, saying it’s a smart move that will lift demand at the lower end of the market and make competition even fiercer.