Skoda hopes to make a profit in India this year: official

Czech car manufacturers on January 28, New Delhi, Czech car manufacturer Skoda hopes to turn profit in India this year because it is expected to increase sales to a large number of KYLAQ’s large number of secondary compression SUV fields. Essence

The car manufacturer has a bullish in its growth and hopes that the Indian market will enter the top five worldwide with the growth of sales.

In the interaction with PTI, Martin Jahn, a member of the board of directors of Skoda Motor Sales and Marketing, said the company plans to strengthen its model lineup, including electric vehicles, and strengthen localization to continuously improve India’s operational scale.

He said the company also plans to use India to export to various markets around the world.

“We hope that the sales volume will be more than double this year. We believe that India will enter the top five in Skoda’s global market. We also plan to use India to export more places to the Middle East, North Africa, Australia, Jane, and Jane.

He said that Skoda achieved great success in Europe last year and now wants to develop in the Indian market.

“Last year, we grew to the fourth place (in Europe), and greatly increased our market share. This is our core market, so we are satisfied with this, but we need diversification. India is the most important thing outside of Europe. Market, “Jane said.

When asked about the launch of new products in the Indian market, he pointed out that the company plans to establish an existing product lineup in the country before further expansion.

Jane said that in addition to Kylaq, Kushaq and Slavia, the company plans to drive on the new version of Premium Sedan Superb, Kodiaq SUV and the country’s electric SUV.

He said: “We must establish these models in the market and implement the amount … Therefore, in the near future, we have enough time, and then we will see the development of the market.”

He added: “We must also achieve basic profitability. For European or Western manufacturers, this is the biggest challenge to achieve some profitability. Therefore, we need a scale. Therefore, we first need to consider bringing another separation To maximize the number of these existing models before the model. ”

JAHN said that the company’s goal is to make a profit this year. To this end, it will also consider enhanced localization and reduced cost structure.

He said: “We must be in every country, even in Europe, we are very lean, and our operating efficiency plan efficiency plan. In India, we must also run an efficiency plan.”

Jane said that the increase in the number, localization and efficiency plan are the most important factor in the country’s profit.

In addition, he said that the company is improving in all aspects, from reducing service costs to new products that can be affordable, to the growth of the country.

Jahn pointed out that the car manufacturer has received 20,000 reservations for Kylaq.

Skoda sold 36,000 units in India last year. In 2023, it sold 49,000 vehicles.

He said the company started CKD (completely knockout) based on Indian products in Vietnam.

“Therefore, we will export the CKD kit. Therefore, India is only the most important focus outside of Europe. It is used for local production, export and CKD production. Therefore, the further booming of the Indian economy is very important for us. We have it here very much. Good conditions to expand our business. “Jane said.

He pointed out in electric vehicles that the regulations are expected to be completed in the next few months, so the company will decide its policy.

“Government regulations will define which car we will carry this year, and the sales of our production in India and when the cars we produce.”

He pointed out that anywhere in the world, the electric vehicle market is driven by regulations.

Jahn said that in Europe, the demand for electric vehicles has slowed greatly.

He said: “We will not expect that electric vehicles will grow greatly. So this is about the emotions of customers .. I dare not provide any suggestions to the Indian government, only this policy must meet the reality.”

He said: “Each country must find the best choice for its infrastructure, natural resources, customer service, emotion and profitability.”

Jahn added that Skoda is considering launching hybrid models in India.

He said: “Similarly, this depends on the regulations. At present, hybrids have no advantages.”

He added that the company’s hybrid models have high technical standards, so they are also expensive.

Jane said: “Therefore, bringing them to India will need very strong support (in terms of tax) plug -in hybrid vehicles.”