New Škoda Kushaq Production Commences at Pune Plant: Strengthening India’s Role as a Global Manufacturing Hub
Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) has officially commenced the production of the new Škoda Kushaq at its world-class manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune. This milestone marks a significant evolution for the SUV that first pioneered the Group’s INDIA 2.0 strategy.
The new Kushaq is designed to meet the evolving aspirations of customers both in India and across international markets, adhering to the vision of “Make in India, for India and the world”.
Premium Enhancements and Advanced Engineering
The latest iteration of the Kushaq introduces several segment-first and premium features aimed at elevating passenger comfort and driving dynamics. Key updates include:
- Segment-first Rear Seat Massage Function: Enhancing comfort for rear passengers.
- Panoramic Sunroof: Adding a premium aesthetic and an airy cabin feel.
- 8-Speed Torque Converter Transmission: A new automatic transmission option designed to raise the performance benchmark in its segment.
Safety remains a core pillar for the Kushaq, which continues to offer a 5-star safety rating for both drivers and passengers, supported by up to 40 active and passive safety features.
Leadership Perspectives on the New Kushaq
The start of production was marked by statements from key leaders within the Volkswagen Group, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Indian market.
Andreas Dick, Škoda Auto a.s. Board Member for Production and Logistics, stated:
“For us, the Kushaq holds a very special place as the first car developed specifically for a market outside Europe and born from true collaboration between India and the Czech Republic. The start of production of the new Kushaq in Pune in such a short span of time highlights how strongly India is integrated into our global manufacturing ecosystem. The robust production quality, combined with the continuous improvement in our processes, allows us to deliver feature-packed vehicles that meet domestic expectations and international standards. Kushaq’s continued success underlines how India is not only a key growth market but also an increasingly important production and export base for our global operations.”
Piyush Arora, Managing Director & CEO, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited, commented:
“The new Kushaq is an evolution and continues to be a key pillar in our mission to bring European engineering excellence within reach of Indian families. This SUV embodies our DNA with its robust design, advanced features and uncompromising safety. Listening closely to our customers, we have added several premium features such as a Panoramic Sunroof, rear-seat massage function and a new 8-speed automatic transmission option, making it an even more compelling offering. With the start of production, we reaffirm our long-term commitment to India and to positioning it as a strategic manufacturing hub. We are confident that the new Kushaq will continue to delight customers and increase its fanbase in India.”
Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, added:
“The Kushaq has been a transformative product for Škoda in India. As our first model under the INDIA 2.0 strategy, it marked the beginning of a new chapter, one that combined high localisation, world-class manufacturing at Pune, a deep understanding of Indian customers, and our commitment to democratising technology for the Indian market. With the new Kushaq, we are further building on that strong foundation, delivering European driving dynamics and 5-star safety that customers associate with Škoda. This is the start of our product offensive for this year, as we expand our product range in line with evolving customer demands. Alongside our product expansion, we will continue our focus on growing our network, maintaining a service-first approach, and establishing a differentiated brand, reinforcing our strategy of building trust and driving excellence.”
A Strong Foundation for Growth
The Kushaq has been instrumental in SAVWIPL’s recent success, contributing significantly to the Group’s record-breaking sales of 117,000 units in 2025. The company also reached a milestone of 2 million locally produced vehicles in 2025.
Following its world premiere in January 2026, the new Kushaq has received an overwhelming response in pre-bookings. Deliveries for the SUV are scheduled to begin in March 2026.
SAVWIPL Operations at a Glance
- Headquarters: Pune, overseeing Škoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Bentley.
- Manufacturing: Two plants (Chakan and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) with a combined annual capacity of 315,000 units.
- Exports: Over 700,000 “Made in India” vehicles shipped to more than 40 countries.
- Local Success: Locally built models, including the Kylaq, Kushaq, Slavia, Taigun, and Virtus, surpassed 500,000 units in 2025.
- Network: Supported by nearly 700 customer touchpoints across India.
FAQs
When will deliveries for the new Škoda Kushaq begin? Deliveries for the new Kushaq are set to commence in March 2026.
What are the key new features of the new Kushaq? The new model introduces a segment-first rear seat massage function, a panoramic sunroof, and a new 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
Where is the new Škoda Kushaq manufactured? The SUV is produced at the Škoda Auto Volkswagen India world-class Chakan plant in Pune.
Is the new Škoda Kushaq safe? Yes, the Kushaq continues to offer 5-star safety for both driver and passengers, equipped with up to 40 active and passive safety features.
What brands does Škoda Auto Volkswagen India oversee? The Group oversees six brands in India: Škoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Bentley.
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