Skoda starts Kylaq SUV production, expands capacity at Chakan plant

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (SAVWIPL) has announced the Start of Production (SoP) of the Skoda Kylaq SUV at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune.

The Skoda Kylaq is engineered and manufactured locally, adhering to the Group's highest standards, and is the Group’s fifth model to be built on the robust MQB-A0-IN platform with high levels of localisation. The Kylaq is built on four broad pillars of safety, comfort, quality and global design. Additionally, SAVWIPL has expanded its already strong local supplier base by another 10% to improve turnaround time and reduce cost of ownership.

Piyush Arora, MD and CEO of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India said, “We’re thrilled to begin production of Skoda Auto India’s first sub-4-metre SUV. Congratulations to the entire team on the successful start of production. Kylaq is engineered and developed in India to cater to the evolving requirements of Indian customers. By manufacturing Kylaq locally, we proudly support the Make-in-India initiative, maintaining Group’s DNA of delivering safety, comfort and driving dynamics. It was heartening to see the positive reception it received at the World Premiere last month, and I am confident that Škoda Kylaq will truly resonate with the Indian car buyers.”

SAVWIPL has enhanced its Chakan Plant’s production capacity by 30% to 255,000 units annually, with Kylaq’s production. Operational efficiency has also improved significantly, with production lines now running at 40 jobs per hour (JPH). In line with SAVWIPL’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing, Škoda Kylaq incorporates eco-friendly materials such as bamboo fiber in the cabin, reflecting the Group’s focus on green innovation.

Andreas Dick, Member of the Board of Management of Škoda Auto for Production and Logistics, said: “The successful start of production for Škoda Kylaq reflects the incredible teamwork and collaboration between our teams in India and the Czech Republic. Every detail has been meticulously planned and executed, from design to the implementation of advanced manufacturing processes, ensuring we meet the highest standards of quality and efficiency. These efforts have created the ideal prerequisites for Kylaq to become a cornerstone of our success in India, setting new benchmarks in the compact SUV segment and strengthening our commitment to this dynamic market.”

To support the customers, SAVWIPL is rapidly expanding its sales and service network across India. The company states that it plans to expand its network to 350 covering Tier 2 and and Tier 3 cities in 2025.

The Skoda Kylaq, which has been launched at an aggressive price starting at Rs 789,000 (ex-showroom), will be part of the competitive compact SUV segment which accounted for 49% of the total utility vehicle market in April-November 2024. Deliveries of the Kylaq are scheduled to begin by January 2025.

The Kylaq has a spacious interior, including the largest boot capacity in its class, with a volume of 446 litres. All variants come equipped as standard with over 25 active and passive safety features, including a multi-collision brake and six airbags. The Kylaq is powered by a 1.0 TSI turbocharged petrol engine delivering 85 kW, paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. It is also the first Škoda model in India to feature elements of the brand’s new Modern Solid design language.

The Kylaq introduces several segment-first features, including ventilated front seats with six-way electric adjustment. Select variants are equipped with an electrically operated sunroof, a feature highly valued by customers in India. The interior incorporates sustainable materials, such as trim panels containing bamboo fabric.