In Chakan, India, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) has commemorated important anniversaries at its car and engine production plant. Over 1.5 million cars have been produced at the Chakan Plant by SAVWIPL since its founding, a noteworthy accomplishment that highlights the company’s critical position in India’s automotive sector.
This includes newer vehicles based on the MQB-A0-IN platform including the VW Taigun, Virtus, Skoda Kushaq, and Slavia, as well as cars from the Volkswagen Group like the VW Vento and Polo, Skoda Fabia, and Rapid.
Adding to its achievements, the Engine Shop at Chakan has produced over 380,000 engines, aligning with the ‘Make in India’ initiative by sourcing components domestically. The facility celebrated its 10th anniversary, further solidifying SAVWIPL’s commitment to local manufacturing and skill development, consistent with the ‘Skill India’ movement. The company has also reached a milestone with the production of 300,000 units of its INDIA 2.0 car range, which includes models that have achieved five-star safety ratings from Global NCAP for both adult and child occupants.
SAVWIPL’s contribution extends beyond domestic production, with over 30% of its vehicles being exported to nearly 40 global markets. This highlights India’s growing importance as a manufacturing hub on the international stage, with SAVWIPL ranking among the top four exporters of India-made cars.
Andreas Dick, Skoda Auto a.s. Board Member for Production and Logistics, shared “In today’s ever-evolving global arena, India emerges as a vital contributor to Skoda Auto’s production prowess. The milestones achieved by Škoda Auto Volkswagen India resonate far beyond national borders, reflecting our commitment to excellence and innovation on a global scale. Our decade-long investment in the Engine Shop and the remarkable output of 1.5 million vehicles at the Chakan Plant, showcases India’s pivotal role in our global strategy. These achievements not only signify our capabilities but also highlight the immense potential of the Indian market in driving our growth trajectory forward.”
Johannes Neft, Skoda Auto a.s. Board Member for Technical Development added, “Achieving the 1.5 million production milestone is a testament to the exceptional engineering capabilities of our Indian manufacturing facility. Our top-class R&D centre in India plays a crucial role in driving innovation and excellence. The global team greatly values the insights and expertise, and these contributions are integral to developing new, cutting-edge products for India and the world. This highlights the strength and ingenuity of our Indian operations, positioning us at the forefront of automotive innovation worldwide.”
Piyush Arora, Managing Director & CEO of SAVWIPL, commented “The significant output of 1.5 million vehicles at our Chakan Plant, coupled with the production milestone of four successful MQB models and the 10-year journey of our Engine Shop stand testament to our dedication to India’s automotive industry and SAVWIPL’s significant contribution to the nation’s talent and workforce. As we outline our expansion plan in India, we remain steadfast in our mission to ‘Innovating Locally, Impacting Globally’. We aim to elevate India’s position as a global hub for automotive manufacturing, aligning with the national mission of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, driving growth and prosperity within our communities”.