Skoda Auto India is now selling a few automobile models for government agencies to purchase on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform, where it recently registered as a seller.
By the end of the current fiscal year, the GeM portal is expected to surpass South Korea’s KONEPS as the largest government e-procurement platform globally. Using this platform, a government buyer has previously bought and received a Skoda car.
For Indian government purchasers, the GeM portal functions as a national public procurement platform. It offers a comprehensive online platform that makes it easier for different government agencies, including as State and Federal Ministries, Departments, Public Enterprises, Autonomous Institutions, and Local Government entities, to acquire products and services. The portal is managed by the Indian government’s Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
GeM offers a digital ecosystem for government procurement, enabling paperless, cashless, and contactless transactions. It allows government buyers to directly purchase products and services from sellers and service providers across India through its online interface. The platform leverages digital technologies to streamline and modernise public procurement processes in the country.
The portal aims to improve transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in government purchasing. It provides features such as e-bidding, e-auction, reverse e-auction, and demand aggregation. Government departments can now access and procure Skoda Auto India cars, along with other listed vehicles, through the GeM portal. This aligns with the government’s initiative to promote domestically manufactured products.
Skoda Auto India’s offerings on the GeM portal currently include the Kushaq and Slavia models. These vehicles are manufactured in India and are based on the MQB-A0-IN platform, which was developed collaboratively by teams in India and the Czech Republic to cater specifically to the Indian market.
Both models have received 5-star safety ratings for adult and child occupants under Global NCAP’s latest test protocols. The Kushaq SUV and Slavia sedan are available with 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI engine options, paired with either a six-speed manual, six-speed automatic, or seven-speed DSG transmission.