Excerpts from an interview with Gurpratap Boparai, managing director of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India:
Q/ Volkswagen announced the India 2.0 strategy two years ago. How has it panned out?
A/ We kept the India 2.0 project on track despite the disruptions caused by Covid-19. Kushaq has come out on time, as will the next one (Volkswagen Taigun) and the two that will follow later. So, within the next 10-12 months, we will have four products under the India 2.0 plan. Of course, the other premium products will continue side by side and new products will come there also. But, under the 2.0, which is addressing the mass segment, four cars (two SUVs and two sedans) will come out between the two brands in the next 12 months.
Q/ How much is riding on Kushaq to gain the much-needed momentum in India?
A/ We are talking about a 5 per cent market share in India by 2025 and Kushaq will be a big step towards achieving it. This will contribute a lot towards that target. A lot rides for us on this car.
Q/ Are the Kushaq and the other upcoming products going to be India specific?
A/ We will be exporting. Between Skoda and Volkswagen, there will be 30-odd countries where we will be exporting these cars to. Not Europe, but there will be more mature markets than just emerging markets.
This story is from the April 04, 2021 edition of THE WEEK.
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This story is from the April 04, 2021 edition of THE WEEK.
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