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Škoda Auto India has announced an all-new compact SUV as the next step of its product offensive in the country after Kushaq and Slavia. The strategically important new car in the popular compact segment – developed and built in India – will strengthen Škoda Auto’s position in the market and further accelerate the company’s internationalisation strategy. The sub 4 metre SUV will debut in India in the first half of 2025.

“India is crucial to the global growth of Škoda Auto, both because of its own market strength and as a development and manufacturing base for our expansion in new markets including ASEAN and the Middle East. We have more than doubled sales in India since 2021 and we are now taking the next step by further expanding the range of models designed for customers in India and internationally. The all-new compact SUV due in 2025 will add an important segment for customers. I’m confident the expanding Škoda portfolio will contribute to our India growth target of achieving a market share for the Volkswagen family of brands of around 5 percent by 2030.”

Klaus Zellmer, CEO Škoda Auto

“The Škoda brand has taken big strides globally. In 2023, we have grown by 18.5% compared to 2022. India is a key market for our growth and we have just crossed the 100,000 sales mark over the last two years – thanks to the locally developed and produced Kushaq and Slavia models. With the all-new compact SUV, we are underlining our commitment to India and its importance to our internationalisation plans. Together with the Kushaq and the Kodiaq, we will have an even better SUV portfolio for India, which is a key segment that contributes over 50% to all vehicle sales in the market.”

Martin Jahn, Škoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing

“After the success of the Kushaq and Slavia, we are expanding our reach with the upcoming launch of an all-new compact SUV, targeting the largest segment in India. Our R&D expertise in India has already enabled us to incorporate highly localised parts and components for our entire range. With the new compact SUV, we are furthering this strategy by systematically developing our local supplier base to provide parts and components of global standards and quality at competitive prices. We aim to actively participate in the evolving landscape of mobility in India. We remain focused on our expansions and further enhancement of the Group’s wide portfolio of cars in India.”

Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India

A compact SUV to attract new customer groups
The new model will be the brand’s entry level product in India and intends on winning new customer groups in the strategically important compact segment. As a sub 4 metre SUV, the car uses the excise benefits for under 4-metre cars available in India and the car manufacturer will pass on these benefits to customers when it comes to pricing.
To directly involve customers and fans in the market even before the car hits the road in the first half of 2025, Škoda Auto India announced the #NameYourSkoda campaign. The car maker shared seven registered names with the public but also encourages customers to suggest their naming ideas for the new compact SUV. The final name after this participative approach will be officially announced later this year.

Extending the locally developed and built product portfolio on the MQB-A0-IN platform
The new compact SUV will be the third Škoda product on the MQB-A0-IN platform and will forward the same Škoda DNA of superior driving dynamics and safety as the other two locally developed and produced models Kushaq and Slavia. The platform was developed jointly by teams in India and the Czech Republic with a focus on high localisation, low cost of ownership, and quick turnaround times. It is the first platform developed by the company outside of Europe and tailormade for the Indian market. The platform enables the use of efficient engines and advanced safety systems, specifically for the Indian market and to meet the country’s new, stricter safety and emission requirements.
The MQB-A0-IN platform has already proven its mettle in India and the world with the Kushaq and Slavia earning a full 5-stars for adult and child occupants in Global NCAP crash tests in October 2022 and April 2023 respectively. They were the first cars in India to be tested under the then newer and stricter test protocols of Global NCAP and the first to earn 5 stars for both adults and children.

India as an integral part of Škoda Auto’s internationalisation strategy
Activities in the Indian market are part of Škoda Auto’s Next Level Strategy. Škoda aims to sell 100,000 Škoda vehicles annually in India by 2026, become the best-selling European brand by 2030 and achieve a five percent market share for all Volkswagen Group brands as part of its responsibility for the region. Škoda Auto is rapidly expanding its internationalisation strategy and leverages synergies in the export of vehicles produced in India to the ASEAN and Middle East regions.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Protecting the environment and minimising the company’s environmental impact has long been central to Škoda Auto’s corporate strategy. Between 17 January and 16 June, the Škoda Museum is hosting a comprehensive exhibition showcasing the company’s sustainability efforts and initiatives to visitors. The exhibition also marks the public debut of the all-new Kodiaq, now offering a plug-in hybrid drivetrain for the first time.

The new exhibition at the Škoda Museum in Mladá Boleslav highlights the company’s commitment to electrification and sustainability. On show until 16 June, it offers visitors an in-depth look at Škoda Auto’s initiatives to continually reduce its environmental impact. The display details the specific strategies the carmaker employs to lower emissions across the value chain. Additionally, it features a range of environmental projects and activities, both historical and current and outlines future sustainability plans.

Innovation rooted in tradition
The exhibition at the Škoda Museum not only presents the company’s history but also its long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, highlighted by vehicles like the Škoda Eltra. Derived from the Škoda Favorit, this all-electric model was created in the early nineties and reflects the beginning of Škoda’s electrification efforts.

The display also educates visitors on the use of sustainable materials in current Škoda models. For example, in the new Škoda Kodiaq, all textiles used for the seat upholstery, the carpets in the cabin and the boot, as well as the headliner, are made of 100% recycled polyester or, in the case of the Design Selection Lounge, a combination of recycled yarns with 40% natural wool. Even the leather seat covers are produced through eco-friendly processes, and the iconic Škoda umbrella is now made from recycled materials.

In collaboration with its suppliers, Škoda Auto is working intensively on developing new, sustainable materials for future production, including mono-materials and recycled plastics for seats and door trims. The interior study of the Škoda Octavia on display offers insights into the sustainable materials that will characterise the interiors of future vehicles.

Sustainability as a strategic cornerstone
Since 2013, Škoda Auto has integrated its sustainability efforts into its corporate GreenFuture strategy, encompassing the core areas of GreenFactory, GreenProduct, and GreenRetail. This move underscores sustainability as a key element of the Next Level – Škoda Strategy 2030.

Since 2020, the company has sent no production waste to landfill. This means all the waste from production processes is energetically or materially reprocessed. By 2030, Škoda Auto commits to achieving CO₂-neutral operations at its three Czech and two Indian manufacturing sites, and reducing its European fleet emissions by 50% compared to 2020 levels. The Czech carmaker is also expanding its use of renewable energy sources. In collaboration with energy supplier ŠKO-ENERGO, the automaker is modernising the heating plant to use 100% biomass. It is also developing solar energy projects at its plants in cooperation with other partners, another example of its holistic approach to sustainability.

Promoting sustainability across the international dealer network
Škoda Auto extends its sustainability efforts to its global dealer network, adopting eco-friendly practices in logistics, including the use of recyclable packaging, electric trucks, and route optimisation to minimise emissions. At its dealerships and service centres, the company promotes sustainable operations having installed solar panels, battery storage systems, and heat pumps to reduce energy consumption. Moreover, Škoda Auto ensures the responsible use and management of chemicals, waste, energy, and water.

To find out more about Škoda Auto’s sustainability initiatives, detailed information about the exhibition, including the opening hours of the Škoda Museum, is available here.
Additionally, Škoda Auto has a dedicated sustainability microsite, offering deeper insights into its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics and measures.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Škoda Auto has published exterior sketches of the refreshed Octavia. The fourth modern generation continues the legacy of the brand’s iconic model, which has achieved over seven million sales since its launch in 1996. This latest iteration introduces a refined exterior with new headlights, redesigned bumpers, and an updated Škoda grille. The digital global premiere is set for 14 February.

“Revitalising and evolving the design characteristics of our brand icons is both a demanding and fascinating task. For the Octavia’s latest update, we have reimagined the bumpers and the Škoda grille. At the same time, we have sharpened the contours of the headlights, lending our bestseller an even more striking and sporty appearance. With this fresh look and new features, such as second-generation LED Matrix beam headlights, the Octavia will continue to captivate everyday explorers in the coming years.”

Oliver Stefani, Head of Škoda Design

Refined optical details
Now in its fourth generation, the Octavia is set to receive its facelift four years after the start of production. The model will continue to be available as both a hatchback and Combi estate. Additionally, the refreshed series will include Sportline and RS versions. The vehicle’s enhancements include advanced, second-generation LED Matrix beam headlights with a new lighting signature, designed to provide superior illumination of the road. Additionally, they now incorporate Crystallinium, a unique crystalline element that imparts a distinctive blue hue to the interior of the headlight housing, further refining the vehicle’s aesthetic.

The Octavia’s success story
The refreshed Octavia is poised to continue the success of the model range: More than seven million units have been delivered to customers since the first modern generation was launched in 1996. Holding the title of Europe’s most popular estate car since 2016, the Octavia has earned numerous awards and accolades from the international automotive press, including the renowned Red Dot Award for outstanding product design in 2020 – the third win for the series.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

A repeat success: this year, both the Škoda Fabia and Octavia have secured the title of best import car within their respective classes in the renowned Best Cars Readers’ Choice Awards. In the 48th iteration of the competition, organised by the German automotive magazine ‘auto motor und sport’, 92,798 participants cast their votes, with a record number of 455 models competing in 13 categories. The Octavia extended its impressive winning streak, claiming the title of best import compact vehicle for the eleventh time in a row, marking its twelfth Best Cars award in total. The Fabia was crowned winner among imported small cars for the third time, following victories in 2008 and 2023.

Škoda Octavia maintains its decade-long lead – outshining 28 rivals
At this year’s auto motor und sport Readers’ Choice Awards, 15.5% of the votes went to the Škoda Octavia in the Compact class import category. The acclaimed Czech model prevailed against 28 competitors to secure its eleventh Best Car title in a row. Throughout the history of the Readers’ Choice Awards, the Octavia has been honoured with twelve awards. The upgraded version of the brand’s bestseller celebrated its world premiere today. The event was broadcast from a Virtual Studio and can be watched on newskodaoctavia.com, the Škoda Storyboard, and Škoda’s official YouTube channel.

All good things come in threes for the Škoda Fabia
The fourth-generation Škoda Fabia also successfully defended its title from last year as the best import vehicle in its class, garnering 16% of the votes and securing the top position ahead of 19 competitors. Following 2008 and 2023, this marks the third Best Cars Award for the Fabia.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

At the Rétromobile exhibition in Paris, Škoda is celebrating the 90^th anniversary of the Superb’s production launch. Along with the Superb, the carmaker’s display at Porte de Versailles includes the sporty Škoda 1100 OHC Coupé, the prestigious 1928 Škoda Hispano-Suiza, the innovative Voltavia project combining elements from 1969 and 2023, and the Škoda Vision 7S concept: This study of a large electric family SUV, presented in 2022, previews the Modern Solid design direction for Škoda’s future vehicles.

In collaboration with its importer Škoda France, the Mladá Boleslav-based carmaker has put together an exclusive collection for Rétromobile. The Porte de Versailles exhibition will introduce eight cars to enthusiasts and the general public, representing Škoda’s past, present, and future.

“In selecting the cars we are presenting this year in Paris, we focused on celebrating the Superb’s 90^th production anniversary.”

Andrea Frydlová, head of the Škoda Museum

Škoda Superb: A decades-long legacy of excellence
Even before the Superb’s story began in 1934, Škoda had already manufactured prestigious cars from 1926 to 1930 through the licensed production of the Hispano-Suiza limousine. A 1928 model of this originally Spanish-Swiss brand, well-known in France, will also be on display at the Paris exhibition. The Superb range at the Škoda stand is represented by three six-cylinder historic models from 1936, 1938, and 1948 in various configurations. In addition, the latest modern generation of the Superb is among the exhibited vehicles: With production now underway, it continues the series’ tradition, equipped with state-of-the-art features and technology.

A racing special reborn and a glimpse into the future
From the very beginning, Škoda has been closely associated with racing and motorsport. Testifying to the brand’s success in motorsports, the Škoda 1100 OHC Coupé is making its debut on French soil. Only two closed versions of this striking racing special were built in 1959/1960. The fully operational racing car was reconstructed using the preserved frame, chassis, engine, and body construction based on original documentation, employing both traditional methods and cutting-edge technologies.

The exhibited Vision 7S concept study offers a peek into the future of individual mobility as envisioned by Škoda Auto: This large seven-seater family car is a symbol of purely electric propulsion and heralds Škoda’s powerful new design language, Modern Solid.

Voltavia: Electrified 1969 Škoda Octavia Combi
The Rétromobile exhibition is also introducing the public to the Voltavia project for the first time. This unique transformation of a 1969 Škoda Octavia Combi into a fully electric vehicle was realised by Automobile Propre – the first French website dedicated to electric vehicles. As part of the Retrofit Challenge organised by Škoda France, two editorial teams were tasked with converting 1960s Octavia cars into all-electric vehicles.

“There were plenty of options for converting this 1969 Škoda Octavia Combi to electric. Our team chose to focus on efficiency and comprehensiveness, while aiming to preserve key characteristics of the brand, such as utility and luggage space. We also ensured that the conversion was completely reversible.”

Editor-in-chief Pierre Desjardins

The Voltavia is powered by a 75 kW electric motor with 220 Nm of torque, drawing energy from a 27.2 kWh battery, which comprises battery modules from the Enyaq.

The Rétromobile exhibition opens its doors at the Porte de Versailles centre in Paris on Wednesday, 31 January and runs until 4 February.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

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