Where the Volkswagen Group’s operations in India are concerned, the Czech brand Škoda takes the lead. This is partly because Škoda has been active in the Indian market for six years longer than the VW brand – since 2001, whereas VW only entered in 2007.
In an interview with T-Online, Škoda CEO Klaus Zellmer discussed in detail Škoda’s and Volkswagen Group’s business in India, which is set for significant expansion. After all, Škoda doubled its sales in India in 2025, achieving the highest year-on-year growth rate across all Škoda markets. Together, VW and Škoda increased their sales in India by 36 per cent to 117,000 vehicles.
Škoda hopes for investments through new partner
“To benefit from the growth in India, we must continue to invest massively,” Klaus Zellmer told T Online. “That’s why we are evaluating different scenarios. One is stand-alone: we remain independent. The other option is to team up with a strong local partner who would contribute financially to the investments.”
For the partnership option, the company has signed an MoU with the multinational JSW Group – something Zellner described as an expression of intent “to explore the fundamental principles of a strategic partnership. The planned collaboration aims to enhance competitiveness through an expanded product portfolio, greater localisation, and the expansion of production and development capabilities.” In his interview, he added: “I am convinced that we can become better with an Indian partner: with local roots, local networks, and cultural ties to truly understand what is right and important in India.”
