Skoda Auto strengthens global strategy with India’s 500,000th vehicle rollout

In a significant landmark that underscores its long-standing commitment to the Indian market, Škoda Auto has announced the production of half a million vehicles from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in India. This milestone reflects the Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) Group’s enduring trust in Indian craftsmanship, localisation, and a steadfast focus on world-class quality and safety.

Škoda’s journey in India commenced in 2001 with the launch of the first-generation Octavia from the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar plant (formerly known as Aurangabad). Since then, the brand has established a robust presence across the country, building a strong emotional bond with Indian customers through a diverse and evolving product line-up.

Over the past two decades, Škoda has introduced iconic nameplates such as the Octavia, Laura, Superb, and Kodiaq, while simultaneously catering to a new generation of customers with contemporary models like the Kushaq, Slavia, and the sub-four-metre Kylaq. These vehicles have not only resonated with Indian consumers, but have also cemented Škoda’s position as a brand synonymous with refined engineering and superior quality.

The vehicles produced in India serve both domestic and international markets, highlighting India’s strategic role in Škoda Auto’s global production network. Notably, components manufactured in India are now being assembled at the Group’s newly inaugurated facility in Vietnam, where the Kushaq and Slavia will be locally produced. This reinforces India’s growing importance as a manufacturing and export hub, aligned with the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ vision—for both domestic use and global deployment.

Reflecting on this milestone, Andreas Dick, Škoda Auto a.s. Board Member for Production and Logistics, remarked:
“Reaching the milestone of 500,000 cars produced in India is a proud testament to our strategic vision of unwavering commitment to India and operational excellence. By nurturing local engineering talent and embedding global manufacturing processes, we’ve built an ecosystem that is agile, scalable, and responsive to a dynamically changing environment that meets the highest international standards. This achievement reflects the synergy between world-class innovation and India’s growing industrial prowess.”

Piyush Arora, CEO & Managing Director of Škoda Auto Volkswagen India, further added, “It is not just about manufacturing 500,000 cars, but building and nurturing 500,000 connections. Every car that rolls out of our production lines, shares DNA of European engineering with unmatched quality, crafted with precision; delivering supreme comfort, safety, technology and driving dynamics. This achievement belongs as much to our customers as it does to our employees. Because what we’re manufacturing here isn’t just mobility, it’s a belief in what India can make for domestic as well as international markets. India plays a pivotal role in the Group’s growth strategy. I am glad to mention that we achieve this manufacturing milestone in the same year as Škoda Auto celebrates 130 years of legacy globally and 25 years of presence in India.”

Škoda’s production operations in India span two key facilities: the Pune plant, which accounts for approximately 70% of the total output, and the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar facility. This collaborative industrial strength has been instrumental in achieving the half-a-million mark.

Further underlining its growing success in the Indian market, Škoda recorded its highest-ever monthly sales in March 2025, delivering 7,422 units in a single month. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication of its skilled workforce, cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, and an ever-strengthening bond with Indian customers.

As Škoda Auto commemorates 130 years of global automotive excellence and 25 years in India, this latest milestone is not merely a number—it is a reflection of trust, innovation, and the dynamic future that lies ahead for the brand in India and beyond.