Škoda Auto India aims for 8‑10% sales rise and eyes EV debut next year

Škoda Auto India is set to increase its sales by 8‑10% this year, which would push the brand to its highest sales volume on record. Brand Director Ashish Gupta said the company is already tracking an 8% rise year‑to‑date and expects the facelift‑updated Slavia to help close the year within that growth band. The surge follows last year’s sharp demand lift after the government cut GST on cars, a factor that gave the firm a strong starting point and makes direct year‑on‑year comparison tougher. Gupta noted that the overall passenger‑vehicle market expanded by about 23% up to August and, despite a solid base from the previous September‑December period, he forecasts a roughly 15% expansion for the sector this year. He also projected that India’s passenger‑car sales will top five million units this year, a milestone experts had previously placed around 2029. While optimistic, Gupta warned that geopolitical tensions and environmental issues could slow the current momentum. The newly refreshed Slavia, launched last month just before the festive season, has been well received and is expected to boost volumes during the holiday buying spree. Škoda has pledged ten product interventions for the year and has already delivered the updated sedan as part of that plan. The automaker is also preparing to introduce its first electric car in India next year, marking a step into the fast‑growing EV market.

Context

The GST reduction lifted demand across all segments, especially small cars, creating a larger market base for manufacturers. Crossing five million units early signals a rapid expansion of India’s middle‑class car buying power. Introducing an EV aligns Škoda with the government’s push for greener mobility.