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Tag: Skoda Auto

  • Kodiaq roars again as Skoda shifts gears on luxury SUV game in India

    Kodiaq roars again as Skoda shifts gears on luxury SUV game in India

    MUMBAI: Bigger, bolder, and back with a bite, Skoda’s new Kodiaq has hit Indian roads and it’s not just purring, it’s roaring. Celebrating 25 years in India and 130 globally, Skoda Auto kicked off the next chapter in its SUV legacy with the launch of the all-new Kodiaq at PPS Motors in Kondapur, Hyderabad. Following the buzz around the sub-4m Kylaq, this seven-seater luxury 4×4 adds muscle to Skoda’s premium line-up, flaunting a sleeker design, tech upgrades, and terrain-hugging capability.

    Unveiled in the presence of GHMC Corporator Jagadeshwar G and PPS Skoda COO S Cecil, the new Kodiaq is offered in two variants Sportline and the more luxurious Selection L&K both powered by a 2.0 TSI engine producing 150 kW of power and 320 Nm of torque, paired with a seven-speed DSG. It’s assembled at Skoda’s Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar facility and offers a claimed mileage of 14.86 km/l.

    Dimensionally, it’s a roomier beast than before 59mm longer with an impressive 1,976 litres of max boot space. Interior indulgences include a 32.77 cm infotainment system, rotary Smart Dials, ergonomic gear placement, and even a massage function for the Ergo seats. Add nine airbags, a 13-speaker Canton sound system, and a panoramic sunroof to the mix, and you’ve got luxury firmly in the driver’s seat.

    Design-wise, the SUV makes an entrance with LED Beam Crystallinium headlamps and a dramatic Welcome Effect, while exclusive trims like Bronx Gold and Steel Grey add visual polish to its brawny appeal.

    Prices start at Rs 46.89 lakh (ex-showroom) for the Sportline and go up to Rs 48.69 lakh for the top-end L&K. Backed by a 5-year warranty, 10-year roadside assistance, and a complimentary first-year service package, Skoda’s flagship offering is clearly designed to please both city slickers and off-road enthusiasts alike.

    With the new Kodiaq, Skoda isn’t just marking an anniversary, it’s rewriting the playbook for premium SUVs in India, one bold drive at a time.

  • Skoda Auto &Publicis Worldwide India collaborate to unveil five-film series

    Skoda Auto &Publicis Worldwide India collaborate to unveil five-film series

    Mumbai: Following the success of the Škoda Slavia launch campaign, Skoda Auto India has launched the second leg of the integrated campaign to promote Skoda Slavia to the Indian masses.

    The campaign, created in collaboration with its agency partner, Publicis Worldwide India, consists of a series of five films that continue to push the Slavia journey forward.

    The campaign is a part of SkodaAuto’s 2.0 philosophy of “Made of what really matters.”

    The inaugural launch campaign undertaken earlier this year was built on the central thought – “The car that’s in your heart, is the car that really matters.”

    The campaign will use all necessary platforms, with a focus on digital and social platforms.

    Publicis Worldwide India CEO Paritosh Srivastava said, “Slavia  is a real game changer for Skodain India, it’s a great product with a very bright future. The launch campaign did very well, and the challenge was to push the narrative of “Made of what really matters” further.” 

    He further added, “This campaign focuses on the features but done the Skodaway with simplicity, warmth, and charm at the heart of it. The stories have universal appeal and will connect with audiences of all profiles across the country. As an agency, we have done some glorious work on Škoda in the past and are confident that this campaign will also do wonders for the brand.”

    The films take viewers through the lives of an Indian family and how each of the game-changing features of Slavia helps them navigate their everyday journey with humour and the right insights.

    ŠkodaAuto India head of marketing Tarun Jha said, “We wanted to give each feature of the Slavia a pedestal of its own and break free from conventional methods of highlighting them. We wanted the campaign to have a crisp storyline with a touch of humour.”

    He further added, “Skoda believes in customer centricity and each feature is developed keeping our customers in mind. We are confident that the heart-warming campaign will create a lasting impression in the minds of our audiences.”

  • Volkswagen Group India consolidates into new entity ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India

    Volkswagen Group India consolidates into new entity ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India

    MUMBAI: The ŠKODA AUTO led Volkswagen Group India, having secured the prerequisite regulatory and statutory approvals, announced the transformative merger of its three passenger car subsidiaries – Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (VWIPL), Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt Ltd (NSC) and ŠKODA AUTO India Pvt Ltd (SAIPL). The merger of three former Volkswagen Group entities is an important milestone in the ‘INDIA 2.0’ project. 

    The merged entity will be referred to as ‘ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited’ (SAVWIPL). The entity will be led by Gurpratap Boparai, who will assume the role of its Managing Director. The company will be headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, operate two production facilities in Pune and Aurangabad, and have regional offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, and other locations across the country. The integration will make more efficient use of the existing synergies in this important growth market.

    ŠKODA AUTO CEO Bernhard Maier explains, “The operational launch of ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd marks an important milestone in the INDIA 2.0 project. This merger creates one of the key prerequisites for working together more efficiently at all levels and achieving our long-term goal: to gain significant market shares for Volkswagen and ŠKODA by 2025. We will now proceed in a series of quick steps: As early as next year, we will be presenting a specific outlook for our INDIA 2.0 model portfolio at the Auto Expo in Delhi.”

    ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd managing director Gurpratap Boparai adds, “With this merger, we plan to combine the technology and management expertise of our team in India and realise our true potential in a challenging, competitive environment. We want to further strengthen our presence in India, ensure the professional development of our employees and safeguard sustainable profitability for our dealers.”

    The emergence of the merged entity with a strong brand portfolio – ŠKODA AUTO, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini is envisioned to serve across market segments and budgets. These brands shall retain their distinctive identities, dealer network as well as implementing their own customer experience initiatives. However, they will be pursuing a shared vision and strategy for the Indian subcontinent.

    In July 2018, the Volkswagen Group announced investments of around one billion euros as part of the ‘INDIA 2.0’ project. In January 2019, a new technology centre was opened in Pune, India, where vehicles will be developed based on the localized MQB-A0-IN subcompact platform, tailored to the wishes and requirements of local customers. The first step in the model campaign will involve ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited launching a mid-size SUV model that will be available from both ŠKODA and Volkswagen. The company will be presenting the studies at the Auto Expo 2020, which is held in New Delhi from 6 to 9 February 2020.

  • Skoda assigns creative mandate to Publicis India

    Skoda assigns creative mandate to Publicis India

    MUMBAI: Popular automobile brand Skoda Auto India has extended its partnership with its creative Agency on Record (AoR) Publicis India by another three years.

    The agency was awarded the extension after a hotly contested multi-agency pitch and will continue to manage the business out of its Mumbai office.

    As part of its mandate, the agency will continue to provide mainline strategy and creative communication solutions to Skoda. It will handle all the sub-brands from Skoda including Rapid, Octavia, Superb, Kodiaq and soon launched Karoq.

    Skoda Auto India head of marketing and product Tarun Jha says, “Skoda India is currently in a positive growth phase, and will be launching products across segments in the next few years. We were looking for a partner to help us achieve our goals and further strengthen Skoda’s equity in the Indian market. Publicis India showcased a thorough strategic and strong creative framework which was in alignment with the brand’s vision for the future. We are happy to be renewing our creative partnership with them and look forward to a great body of work in the coming years.”

    Publicis Ambience COO Paritosh Srivastava mentions, “We expected nothing less given the body of work created by us in the last three years, which has also been recognised by the global Skoda team. It was a long and tough pitch and we are thankful that the team at Skoda has entrusted us for another three years. We are lucky to have been a part of an exciting transformation that Skoda India has undergone in the last three years from product design to experience to after-sales and are delighted that it has given the brand a boost in India.”

    In Skoda Auto’s almost two-decade long presence in India, Publicis India has the longest association as its agency partner.

    “There are always newer and bigger challenges in the tremendous growth journey we’re on and we are ready as trusted partners to help Skoda Auto India overcome them in the next few years,” adds Srivastava.

    Over the past few years, Publics India has rolled out a series of campaigns for a range of brands under Skoda Auto. Be it the launch of the new Superb, new Rapid, new Octavia and even the Kodiaq, each communication material that has been released has resulted in significant returns for the auto-maker in India. Not to forget the extremely positive views and likes garnered from the customers across its social & digital channels.

    The agency is currently working on a new brand campaign for Skoda Auto that would be unveiled very soon.

    In India, the agency works with an impressive array of clients that include Nestle, Citibank, Zee, Garnier, Heineken, Nerolac, Skoda, Malaysia Tourism, HDFC Mutual Funds, etc.

  • Skoda to sponsor Comedy Central Chuckles festival

    Skoda to sponsor Comedy Central Chuckles festival

    MUMBAI: Comedy Central is all set to bring the third edition of the Chuckles festival – a laughter pack with some of the finest, up-and-coming comics of the country. The festival has been well associated with renowned names such as Russell Brand, Gabriel Iglesias, Eddie Ifft Paul Varghese, etc.

    Chuckle Stop will now take place as a bi-monthly property across cities and will promote and nurture upcoming, homegrown talent. This edition has been conceptualized by Live Viacom 18, with Skoda on board as the presenting sponsor along with Voot as the associate sponsor and digital partner. Content from the on-ground event will be made available to the digital audience and Native (Footwear Partner).

    “We are taking a different route this season by creating a platform to nurture homegrown talent. We are sure the audience will be in for a treat with Chuckle Stop,” said Viacom18 Integrated Network Solutions (INS) and consumer products, business head Saugato Bhowmik.

    Uninvited is a three-stop comic show that witnesses’ unaccountable comedians causing uncontrollable chuckles. The first edition has a line-up with the likes of Jeeveshu Ahluvalia, Sundeep Rao and Daniel Fernandes. The three-day long festival will take place in Mumbai on the 14 October, in Bengaluru on 15 October and in Delhi on 16 October.

    Skoda Auto always looks at innovative platforms that resonate with the brand’s image to connect with its audience. This association with Chuckles Festival also coincides with our recent launch of our campaign ‘Better made better’ that intends to transform the brand and ownership experience in the country,” added Skoda Auto India head of marketing Tarun Jha.

    It has also associated with YODA (Youth Organisation in Defence of Animals) through which 10 per cent of all Mumbai ticket proceeds will be going to them.

  • Skoda to sponsor Comedy Central Chuckles festival

    Skoda to sponsor Comedy Central Chuckles festival

    MUMBAI: Comedy Central is all set to bring the third edition of the Chuckles festival – a laughter pack with some of the finest, up-and-coming comics of the country. The festival has been well associated with renowned names such as Russell Brand, Gabriel Iglesias, Eddie Ifft Paul Varghese, etc.

    Chuckle Stop will now take place as a bi-monthly property across cities and will promote and nurture upcoming, homegrown talent. This edition has been conceptualized by Live Viacom 18, with Skoda on board as the presenting sponsor along with Voot as the associate sponsor and digital partner. Content from the on-ground event will be made available to the digital audience and Native (Footwear Partner).

    “We are taking a different route this season by creating a platform to nurture homegrown talent. We are sure the audience will be in for a treat with Chuckle Stop,” said Viacom18 Integrated Network Solutions (INS) and consumer products, business head Saugato Bhowmik.

    Uninvited is a three-stop comic show that witnesses’ unaccountable comedians causing uncontrollable chuckles. The first edition has a line-up with the likes of Jeeveshu Ahluvalia, Sundeep Rao and Daniel Fernandes. The three-day long festival will take place in Mumbai on the 14 October, in Bengaluru on 15 October and in Delhi on 16 October.

    Skoda Auto always looks at innovative platforms that resonate with the brand’s image to connect with its audience. This association with Chuckles Festival also coincides with our recent launch of our campaign ‘Better made better’ that intends to transform the brand and ownership experience in the country,” added Skoda Auto India head of marketing Tarun Jha.

    It has also associated with YODA (Youth Organisation in Defence of Animals) through which 10 per cent of all Mumbai ticket proceeds will be going to them.

  • Skoda awards creative mandate to BBH India

    Skoda awards creative mandate to BBH India

    Mumbai: Skoda Auto India has appointed Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) as its creative agency.

    BBH will conceptualise and execute the creative communication campaigns for all Skoda Auto products (Fabia, Laura, Yeti, Superb and the newly launched Rapid) and initiatives in India.

    Skoda Auto India brand head and member of the board sales and marketing Thomas Kuehl said, “Ever since its arrival in India, Skoda Auto has constantly been evolving to suit the demands of the Indian consumers. Effective communications and daily engagement with our customers is an essential requirement to enforce our corporate identity – ‘Simply Clever‘ together with our value for money proposition. Moving ahead, we welcome BBH as our new communications and strategic partner.”

    “In today‘s media savvy era, it is imperative that one builds their brand‘s image through sharp and effective communication strategies. We are expecting our association with BBH to be a successful one, interspersed with memorable campaigns for our various products and corporate initiatives,” Skoda Auto India head of marketing Kamal Basu added.

    On winning the account BBH India managing partne Partha Sinha said, “Skoda is a fantastic brand and has built a great reputation in India. We are delighted to have the opportunity of taking the brand forward. We are confident that we will be able to use our strategic and creative capabilities to create communications that have the well-known BBH ingredients of Intelligence and Magic.”

  • Skoda’s Rapid fights the entry sedan segment with a new campaign

    Skoda’s Rapid fights the entry sedan segment with a new campaign

    MUMBAI: Skoda Auto India has launched a new ad campaign for Skoda Rapid.

    Titled ‘Big Fat Indian Wedding’, the campaign encapsulated the proposition of ‘Being Thoughtful’.

    Revolving around the Indian wedding, the campaign has been conceptualised by Saatchi & Saatchi. The media agency working on the account is Mediacom.

    Skoda Auto India and member of the board – sales and marketing brand head Thomas Kuehl said, “At Skoda we believe that a car is much more than a mere product. It is an extension of an individual and this insight has helped us arrived at the positioning ‘Built to be Thoughtful’. We used the backdrop of Indian wedding in our campaign to demonstrate the emotional connect between a family and a car. The Skoda Rapid embodies that sentiment with its ‘Simply Clever solutions’ and product values at various occasions during the wedding. Since a wedding for an Indian family is valuable, emotional and a grand occasion, it is a perfect fit to partake in the celebrations with the Skoda Rapid – Family Car of the year 2011.”

    Skoda Rapid is fighting in the entry level sedan segment. Director Sam Ahmad has created a film that underlines the fact that the Skoda Rapid is as “sensible” as it is “stylish”.

    Saatchi & Saatchi chief creative officer Ramanuj Shastry said, “To dramatise the ‘thoughtfulness‘ of Skoda Rapid, we chose the big, fat Indian wedding, the torture test for any car. It‘s the only time where not just the badge value of the car, but its work horse like qualities also matter. A car for the Indian wedding has to be spacious, comfortable, dependable and economical.”