In a monumental celebration of passion, engineering endurance, and the spirit of exploration, Fans of Škoda have created history by setting a record at Umling La. On the day of the record, Umling La stood at an astounding 19,024 ft., marking it as the highest motorable road in the world.
Škoda Auto India led a massive convoy that was officially recognized by both the India Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records as the largest convoy of cars to successfully ascend the extreme altitude.
The Testament to Engineering Excellence
The record-setting feat showcased the engineering robustness and versatility of the entire Škoda vehicle lineup, conquering over 3,000 km of extreme terrain.
- The Convoy: The fleet consisted of 28 Škodas carrying 60 dedicated fans from across India. Models in the record-setting convoy included the new Kylaq, Kodiaq, Kushaq, Slavia, and even the iconic Yeti.
- Extreme Conditions: The journey pushed both man and machine to the limit, enduring extreme weather conditions, river crossings, steep inclines, and thin air at 19,024 ft.. Temperatures during the ascent ranged drastically from −5 to 25∘C.
- Route of Exploration: The convoy began its journey from Manali before entering Ladakh. The route traversed iconic locations such as Leh, Khardung La, Pangong Tso, Hanle, and Thang (the last village of India) before ascending Umling La.
Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, underscored the power of the brand’s community:
“The passionate fandom of Škoda owners acts as a powerful force multiplier for the brand – their pride, word-of-mouth advocacy, and community spirit turn ownership into a movement, inspiring trust and aspiration among new customers… This landmark at Umling La is a testament to this spirit and the engineering excellence of our cars”.
Sustained Growth and Record Sales Momentum
This milestone achievement adds to Škoda Auto India’s strong surge in 2025, a year marked by aggressive sales growth and network expansion in its 25th year in India.
| Period | Cumulative Sales | Growth vs. Previous Year |
| First Half (H1) 2025 | 36,194 units | 134% growth over H1 2024 |
| Q3 (July – September) 2025 | 17,161 units | 110% growth over Q3 2024 |
| YTD (Jan – Sept) 2025 | 53,355 units | – |
While achieving cumulative sales of 53,355 units between January and September 2025, Škoda also expanded its network to over 315 customer touchpoints across 179 cities, highlighting its unwavering commitment to accessibility and customer centricity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What was the record set by the Fans of Škoda at Umling La? The record was set for the largest convoy of cars to reach Umling La.
- What was the altitude of Umling La when the record was set? The altitude was 19,024 ft..
- Which organizations officially recognized the record? The record was officially recognized by both the India Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records.
- How many Škoda cars and fans participated in the convoy? A convoy of 28 Škodas with 60 fans participated.
- Name two Škoda models that were part of the convoy. Models included the Kylaq, Kodiaq, Kushaq, Slavia, and Yeti.
- What was the growth achieved by Škoda Auto India in the first half of 2025? The company achieved its highest-ever half-yearly sales of 36,194 units, representing a 134% growth over H1 2024.
- What does the Škoda brand refer to the community spirit of its owners as? The community spirit acts as a “powerful force multiplier” that turns ownership into a movement.
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