Skoda Auto India is set to target double-digit growth this year by focusing on safety. The Czech automaker plans to introduce India’s safest small SUV and an EV this fiscal year, as well as adding a slew of active and passive safety features including ADAS and lane departure warnings. Skoda’s popular midsize SUV Kushaq and sedan Slavia have already passed the global NCAP crash test, scoring a full 5-star rating for adult and child occupants under updated safety test protocol. The updated Kodiaq SUV has also received a five-star rating for adults and children in Euro NCAP crash tests.
According to Petr Solc, Brand Director at Skoda Auto India, safety is at the core of the company’s strategy. He noted that every Skoda vehicle, whether made for India or the world, is fully 5-star safe for adults and children. Skoda claims that all of its vehicles sold since 2008 have been five-star rated and have cleared stringent European safety norms.
Solc said that the key buying criteria for increasing numbers of Indian buyers has moved away from price or features to safety, and that Skoda’s products fit this requirement. The brand intends to build its safe vehicle portfolio in the future in line with the Indian government’s safety vision.
Skoda Auto India is displaying the car body or sheet metal at various dealerships to educate buyers on the elements of safety. Last week, Skoda held the ‘Safer With Škoda Track Day’ to showcase the best-in-class active safety features and braking manoeuvres of the Kushaq, Slavia and Kodiaq at NATRAX, Asia’s longest high-speed test track in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
The company already tops safety charts among made-in-India cars in Global NCAP crash tests and its India 2.0 cars are developed from the ground up with extra emphasis on safety. Solc believes that Skoda could see a potential double-digit growth this year, as the market for passenger vehicles is set to cross 4 million units. He added that more new models were lined up for the Indian market.
India is the third-biggest global market for Skoda and is a key pillar for its growth. Solc emphasized that safety has been the company’s USP or unique selling proposition over the years, which it is now proactively communicating to Indian buyers.
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