European car companies step on gas for a footing in India

Skoda Auto's India unit is targeting 2026 sales of more than 100,000 vehicles, which will be more than twice its annual sales in recent years.

That number may still seem small when compared with the sales volume of Maruti Suzuki, the local market leader that sells one and a half times as many cars and SUVs each month in India. But in a market where European automakers have long been pushed to the sidelines by their Japanese, Korean and local rivals, the Skoda target is a formidable one.
Skoda and other European mass-market brands like Volkswagen, Renault and Citroen are trying to carve out a space for themselves in the crowded but fast-growing Indian market through strategic positioning and niche offerings with premium features, latest technology and competitive pricing. «The Indian automotive landscape is experiencing nuanced shifts, even with Japanese brands holding a strong lead. These shifts signal growing opportunities for global players to respond to evolving consumer preferences,» said Ravi Bhatia, president at Jato Dynamics.

Skoda is designing vehicles specifically for the Indian market, allowing it to introduce models that are affordable, feature-rich and targeting specific customer segments.

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Younger Customers in Focus
The company and its German affiliate Volkswagen offer similar models. Skoda's sub-four-metre Kylaq SUV is «aimed at attracting a new, younger audience to the brand by offering European technology at a price point that appeals to the masses», said Petr Janeba, brand