Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited has started production of the new Škoda Kushaq at its Chakan plant in Pune on 23 February 2026. Deliveries of the sport utility vehicle (SUV) are scheduled to begin in March following its world premiere in January 2026.
According to a press release issued by Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited, the Kushaq was the first model developed under the INDIA 2.0 strategy and was designed specifically for Indian driving conditions and customer requirements. The company said the model supports its focus on localisation, cost efficiency and integration of India into its global manufacturing operations.
The new Kushaq introduces an 8-speed torque converter transmission and offers up to 40 active and passive safety features, including 5-star safety for both driver and passengers. Additional features include a panoramic sunroof and a rear-seat massage function.
“For us, the Kushaq holds a very special place as the first car developed specifically for a market outside Europe and born from true collaboration between India and the Czech Republic. The start of production of the new Kushaq in Pune in such a short span of time highlights how strongly India is integrated into our global manufacturing ecosystem. The robust production quality, combined with the continuous improvement in our processes, allows us to deliver feature-packed vehicles that meet domestic expectations and international standards. Kushaq’s continued success underlines how India is not only a key growth market but also an increasingly important production and export base for our global operations,” said Andreas Dick, Board Member for Production and Logistics at Škoda Auto a.s.
“The new Kushaq is an evolution and continues to be a key pillar in our mission to bring European engineering excellence within reach of Indian families. This SUV embodies our DNA with its robust design, advanced features and uncompromising safety. Listening closely to our customers, we have added several premium features such as a Panoramic Sunroof, rear-seat massage function and a new 8-speed automatic transmission option, making it an even more compelling offering. With the start of production, we reaffirm our long-term commitment to India and to positioning it as a strategic manufacturing hub. We are confident that the new Kushaq will continue to delight customers and increase its fanbase in India,” said Piyush Arora, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited.
“The Kushaq has been a transformative product for Škoda in India. As our first model under the INDIA 2.0 strategy, it marked the beginning of a new chapter, one that combined high localisation, world-class manufacturing at Pune, a deep understanding of Indian customers, and our commitment to democratising technology for the Indian market. With the new Kushaq, we are further building on that strong foundation, delivering European driving dynamics and 5-star safety that customers associate with Škoda. This is the start of our product offensive for this year, as we expand our product range in line with evolving customer demands. Alongside our product expansion, we will continue our focus on growing our network, maintaining a service-first approach, and establishing a differentiated brand, reinforcing our strategy of building trust and driving excellence,” said Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India.
The Kushaq is a key contributor to the Group’s 117,000 units sold in 2025. The company said it recorded strong pre-booking response ahead of deliveries.
Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited, headquartered in Pune, oversees the Indian operations of Škoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini and Bentley. The company operates manufacturing plants in Chakan, Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, with a combined annual capacity of 315,000 units. It has shipped over 700,000 vehicles to more than 40 countries and crossed 2 million locally produced vehicles in 2025. Its locally built models — Škoda Kylaq, Kushaq, Slavia, Volkswagen Taigun and Virtus — together crossed 500,000 units in 2025. The company employs close to 5,000 people and operates nearly 700 customer touchpoints across India.
