Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) has commenced production of the new Škoda Kushaq at its Chakan facility in Pune, marking an important step in the Group’s strategy to develop and build vehicles in India for domestic and international markets. The SUV continues the company’s focus on localisation, cost efficiency, and faster delivery timelines while meeting the expectations of customers across varied driving conditions.
The Kushaq was the first vehicle introduced under the INDIA 2.0 programme and was engineered with Indian roads, climate and usage patterns in mind. The latest version carries forward that approach with upgraded features, improved comfort and strong safety standards, while retaining the brand’s European driving characteristics.
Speaking on the occasion, Andreas Dick, Board Member for Production and Logistics at Škoda Auto a.s., said the Kushaq represents a significant collaboration between teams in India and the Czech Republic. He noted that the quick ramp-up at Pune highlights India’s growing importance in the Group’s global manufacturing network and its role as both a major market and export base.
Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO of SAVWIPL, said the new Kushaq strengthens the company’s goal of bringing advanced engineering within reach of Indian customers. He added that customer feedback has shaped the updates, including features such as a panoramic sunroof, rear-seat massage function and an 8-speed automatic transmission option.
Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said the Kushaq has played a central role in the brand’s progress in India since its debut. He added that the new model builds on that success and forms part of a broader product rollout planned for the year.
Since its introduction, the Kushaq has earned recognition for ride quality, comfort and safety, contributing to SAVWIPL’s growth and helping the Group achieve record sales of 117,000 units in 2025. The new model was unveiled globally in January 2026, with deliveries scheduled to begin in March following strong pre-booking demand.
Headquartered in Pune, SAVWIPL manages operations of six Volkswagen Group brands in India and operates manufacturing plants at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Pune with a combined capacity of 315,000 units. The company has exported over 700,000 vehicles to more than 40 countries and crossed 2 million locally produced vehicles in 2025. With nearly 700 customer touchpoints and around 5,000 employees, the Group continues to expand localisation, strengthen its supplier network and invest in future mobility solutions for India and global markets.
