It’s unclear as to what prompted the price cut but this would be a good time to bring the Skoda Kodiaq home for those looking to get a comfortable and luxurious SUV. The Kodiaq has always been impressive with its top-notch build quality, feature-rich cabin and comfortable second row. It also gets a usable third row, accommodating children and young adults with ease.
The cabin of the Kodiaq offers top-notch quality coupled with plenty of storage space
The Skoda Kodiaq L&K variant previously retailed at ₹41.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Despite the price cut, the SUV retains all of its features. Power on the SUV comes from the 2.0-litre TSI petrol motor tuned for 188 bhp and 320 Nm of peak torque. The model is available in a single-spec option with the 7-speed DSG automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels.
The current generation Skoda Kodiaq has been around for a while and Skoda has already unveiled the new generation model globally. The next-generation Kodiaq is expected to arrive in India in 2025 and is expected to arrive via the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) route.
Also Watch: 2022 Skoda Kodiaq facelift SUV: First Drive Review
Skoda reportedly will also bring back the Superb and Octavia to the Indian market later this year. Reports suggest that the current generation Superb will be reintroduced as a Completely Built Unit (CBU). Furthermore, the company has the Enyaq electric SUV in the pipeline for India, while it recently announced the made-in-India subcompact SUV that will go on sale in 2025.
Skoda Auto India will be increasing prices across its passenger vehicle range by up to two per cent with effect from January 1, 2024. Prices will increase on the Skoda Slavia, Kushaq and Kodiaq currently on sale in India and will be effective on the ex-showroom cost of the vehicles. In a statement, Skoda Auto said that the price hike is owing to rising supply, input and operational costs.
By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor | Updated on: 12 Dec 2023, 21:37 PM
The Skoda Slavia, Kushaq and Kodiaq are set to get more expensive by up to 2 per cent from January 1, 2024
Skoda joins the likes of Volkswagen, Audi, Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra, Tata Motors, Citroen, MG Motor India and more automakers who have announced price hikes for the new year. Price increments are rather common during the advent new calendar year but we’ve seen a consistent increase in prices throughout the year as well due to the rising inflation rates globally.
Skoda Auto’s range starts with the Slavia sedan and Kushaq SUV priced from ₹10.89 lakh onwards respectively. Both models are based on the MQB-A0-IN platform and share the 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine options. The former produces 113 bhp while the latter develops 148 bhp. Transmission options include the 6-speed manual and torque converter on the 1.0 TSI, while the 1.5 TSI gets the 6-speed manual and the 7-speed DSG automatic. The Skoda Kodiaq comes with the 2.0-litre TSI churning out 188 bhp paired with the 7-speed DSG gearbox.
Skoda Auto is expected to bring the Enyaq electric SUV to India in 2024. The company is also planning to bring more updates and special editions to the Slavia and Kushaq, keeping the models fresh amidst the refreshed rivals. Skoda dealers are also offering several year-end discounts across the range, so make sure to check with your local dealer for a good deal.
Having announced its entry earlier this year, Skoda Auto has commenced sales in Vietnam, marking an all-new market for the Czech automaker. Skoda Auto has partnered with the TC Group for local distribution and production and a celebratory event was held earlier recently with representatives of the Vietnamese and Czech governments in attendance. Skoda Auto India will play a significant role in supplying products to Vietnam from the Chakan plant.
(L-R) Martin Jahn, Skoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing and Le Do, General Director of Skoda project with the Kodiaq
Skoda has commenced operations with the sale of the Karoq and Kodiaq SUVs in Vietnam, which are being imported as Completely Built Units (CBU). The automaker plans to introduce the Kushaq compact SUV in the second half of 2024, which will be exported from India. The Skoda Kushaq will arrive in Vietnam via the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) route and will be locally assembled in the country by the TC Group. Skoda Auto expects to expand to as many as 30 dealer partners and annual sales of over 40,000 units beyond 2030.
The Skoda Kodiaq and Karoq arrive in Vietnam as full imports from Europe
Speaking on the occasion, Klaus Zellmer, Skoda Auto CEO, said, “We are excited to engage with Vietnam’s dynamic economy and a new group of customers in this fast-growing market. This is also the next step in our accelerating internationalisation strategy, strengthening our brand in the ASEAN region and intensifying the synergies between our two key markets of India and Europe. During the preparations, it has been clear that in TC Group we have an excellent partner for the production and sale of our attractive model portfolio. I look forward to starting a successful future together.”
Martin Jahn, Skoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing, said, “Today marks an important milestone in the history of Skoda Auto. By entering the Vietnamese market, we are further strengthening our position in the global automotive industry. We have a clear strategy, ambitious targets, and a strong local partner in TC Motor. Our medium-term plan is to engage around 30 local contractual partners, assemble around 30,000 cars from CKD kits, and realise a sales potential of more than 40,000 vehicles annually beyond 2030. This move solidifies Škoda’s commitment to serving our Vietnamese customers and becoming an important presence in the local market.”
Also Watch: Skoda Kushaq: First Drive Review
Sales for the Skoda Karoq and Kodiaq commenced on September 25 from the automaker’s first dealership in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The company plans to open additional showrooms in central and south Vietnam with 20 outlets to be inaugurated by 2025 and 30 by 2028. Apart from the Karoq and Kodiaq, the automaker plans to introduce the Octavia and Superb soon. The Skoda Enyaq electric SUV is also slated to arrive in the market at a later date.
Starting in the second half of 2024, Škoda will be tapping into significant regional synergies. By then, the first Kushaq vehicles will have been exported from the Pune facility in India to Vietnam for assembly from CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kits, with the Slavia set to follow in 2025. Construction of a production line at the Viet
Skoda’s first dealership in Vietnam is located in the capital city of Hanoi with 20 more outlets planned by 2025 and 30 by 2028
Hung Industrial Park in Quang Ninh province by Škoda’s local partner TC Group is already underway. Based on market trends, there are ambitions to ramp up production, potentially assembling as many as 27,000 vehicles annually after 2027. Skoda could use its local assembly facility in Vietnam to export models to other key markets in the ASEAN region.
Along with exchange support, the company is also offering a complimentary service package of up to four years. It is also offering corporate benefits of up to ₹70,000 as well as extended warranty with benefits up to ₹4,000.
Earlier this month, the company carried out a monsoon service campaign, offering various maintenance-related discounts to customers. Skoda currently sells three models in India – Kushaq, Kodiaq and Slavia.
The company recently achieved a milestone of exporting 6,00,000 cars that were produced at its manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune. This achievement cements the position of India as a key export hub for the VW Group. The India-made models are finding strong demand in Mexico, GCC countries, Sub Sahara, North Africa and other Asian markets, to name a few, further solidifying the Group’s global footprint. Notably, the Kushaq is also the first Skoda vehicle to be exported from India.
The India-made Skoda Kushaq and Skoda Slavia models are set to be exported to Vietnam as parts and components in 2024. To facilitate this expansion, an advanced 16,000 sq. m plant is currently under construction in Chakan, Pune, dedicated to manufacturing these.
In June, the company entered into the NFT space with the launch of Skodaverse India – a Web 3.0 platform to engage users with NFT sales. It will offer unique digital art enabling customers to unlock bespoke utilities and experiences. The aim is to create a community of Skoda fans to interact, engage and co-create in the long term. Skodaverse India is a part of the existing global Web 3.0 initiative Skodaverse.
