The Skoda Volkswagen group has much riding on the success of Kylaq, it's first sub-4m SUV in India.
01 Apr 2025 | 25355 Views | By Angitha Suresh
Skoda Auto India has reported its highest-ever monthly sales figure of 7,422 units in March 2025, coinciding with the company's 25th anniversary in the Indian market. The record sales were primarily driven by the recently launched Kylaq SUV, with additional support from the Slavia and Kushaq models.
The milestone ...
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Skoda Auto India has reported its highest-ever monthly sales figure of 7,422 units in March 2025, coinciding with the company's 25th anniversary in the Indian market. The record sales were primarily driven by the recently launched Kylaq SUV, with additional support from the Slavia and Kushaq models.
The milestone comes at a significant time for the Czech automaker, which is celebrating both 25 years of operations in India and 130 years globally. The company has labeled this period as its "New Era" in the Indian market, marked by the introduction of the Kylaq, its first entry in the competitive sub-4-meter SUV segment.
"With the launch of the all-new Kylaq, we committed to a 'New Era' in our India journey. The 7,422 cars we sold in March 2025 is testament to this journey taking shape," said Petr Janeba, Brand Director at Skoda Auto India. The company has extended the introductory pricing for the Kylaq until the end of April to capitalize on the model's initial success.
The Kylaq, which was unveiled in November 2024 with deliveries beginning in January 2025, has accumulated over 15,000 bookings. To meet this demand, Skoda is implementing what it describes as its "fastest ramp-up in production," aiming to fulfill all current bookings by the end of May.
Safety remains a key selling point for Skoda's Indian lineup, with all three models built on its MQB-A0-IN platform—Kushaq, Slavia, and Kylaq—earning five-star safety ratings for both adult and child occupants. While the Kushaq and Slavia were evaluated by Global NCAP, the Kylaq underwent testing under the domestic Bharat NCAP program.
Skoda has significantly expanded its presence in India since 2021, more than doubling its network from 120 touchpoints to over 280, with plans to reach 350 by the end of 2025. The company has also introduced digital initiatives such as fully digitalized showrooms and online sales options, along with customer-focused service programs including the Anytime Warranty and Skoda Supercare maintenance package.
Betting on Kylaq
The Škoda Kylaq represents a pivotal product for Škoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL), marking a strategic push to strengthen its foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets.
Launched as Škoda’s first sub-4-meter compact SUV, the Kylaq is a cornerstone of the Volkswagen Group’s India 2.0 strategy, led by Škoda, aimed at achieving a 3% market share and transitioning from a niche premium player to a mainstream volume-driven brand.
With nearly 30% of passenger vehicle sales coming from the compact SUV segment, the Kylaq’s importance lies in its potential to tap into this lucrative space, boost sales volumes, and enhance brand visibility.
To ensure the Kylaq’s success, Škoda has adopted a multi-faceted approach. First, it leveraged high localization—up to 98%—using the MQB-A0-IN platform, co-developed by Indian and Czech teams. This platform, already proven with the Kushaq and Slavia, ensures low production costs, competitive pricing, and easier access to parts, addressing past criticisms of high maintenance costs for Škoda vehicles.
The Kylaq is manufactured at the Chakan plant in Pune, where production capacity has been expanded by 30% to 255,000 units annually, reflecting Škoda’s commitment to meeting anticipated demand.
Škoda has positioned the Kylaq as a blend of European engineering and Indian practicality, targeting aspirational first-time buyers and young families.
It introduces the Modern Solid design language to India, offering a bold, muscular aesthetic with features like LED headlights and a high ground clearance of 189mm, ideal for Indian roads.
Inside, it boasts segment-firsts such as ventilated six-way electric seats, a 10-inch infotainment system, and a class-leading 446-liter boot, enhancing its appeal. Safety is a key differentiator, with over 25 active and passive features, including six airbags as standard, aiming for a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating—building on the Kushaq and Slavia’s Global NCAP success.
Pricing is a critical element of its strategy. Starting at ₹7.89 lakh (ex-showroom), the Kylaq undercuts many rivals like the Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, and Hyundai Venue, democratizing European technology at an accessible price point.
Škoda offers a 3-year maintenance package for the first 33,000 buyers, reducing the running cost to ₹0.24/km, and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty, tackling ownership cost concerns head-on. The petrol-only 1.0 TSI engine (115hp, 178Nm), available with manual or automatic transmissions, keeps it tax-efficient under India’s sub-4-meter rules while delivering spirited performance.
Škoda has also revamped its go-to-market approach, expanding its dealer network to 350 touchpoints by 2025, including Tier-II and Tier-III cities, and partnering with director Rohit Shetty for a high-impact launch campaign.
With a sales target of 75,000–100,000 units annually, the Kylaq is poised to triple Škoda’s India volumes, potentially restoring India as its second-largest market after Germany. By blending affordability, innovation, and localization, Škoda has positioned the Kylaq as a game-changer in India’s fiercely competitive compact SUV arena.
Škoda currently offers five models in the Indian market: Kylaq, Slavia, Kushaq, Kodiaq, and Superb. Since entering India in 2001, Škoda has established a presence in more than 150 cities across the country.
Globally, Škoda Auto delivered over 926,600 vehicles in 2024 and aims to become one of the five best-selling automotive brands in Europe by 2030. The company has been part of the Volkswagen Group for 30 years and employs approximately 40,000 people worldwide, operating in around 100 markets.