Skoda is considering the introduction of a brand new sub-4m SUV for the Indian market. The new SUV will be based on the MQB AO-IN platform and will sit in the very competitive sub-compact SUV segment. This segment is quite popular in India and Skoda is eyeing a share of this large pie which is mainly dominated by Vitara Brezza and the Ford Ecosport.
As part of the ‘India 2.0’ strategy, Skoda India is spearheading the project for the Volkswagen group. The two brands are due to launch two products each. For Skoda, that would be the new Kamiq SUV and the next gen Rapid sedan. For Volkswagen, it would be the new T-Cross SUV and the next gen Vento Sedan. All these cars are expected to launch sometime in 2022.
The MQB AO-IN platform is a modified version of the global MQB AO platform. While this allows the Volkawagen group to base quite a few cars like sub-compact SUVs and sedans, compact SUVs and sedans and even hatchbacks on this platform, the MQB AO-IN cannot offer cars bigger than 4.4m. That is the reason why the Volkswagen group is so keen upon building a sub-compact SUV as that is a highly contested segment and popular among the customers too.
The Skoda sub-4m SUV will take on a segment that has a product from almost every major manufacturer in India. The customers are loving the stance of a SUV in compact packaging and it only makes sense for Skoda to have a car in this segment too.
If launched, the new Skoda sub-4m SUV will take on the likes of the recently showcased Hyundai Venue, the Ford Ecosport, the Tata Nexon, the Mahindra XUV300 and even the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. However, we expect the car to be showcased only by the year 2022 with the launch being still some time later.
This indeed is a great opportunity for Skoda to make the most of a segment that is so competitive and so popular.
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