› First production model of the INDIA 2.0 project manufactured locally in India
› Striking and spacious SUV based on the MQB-A0-IN platform developed by ŠKODA for India
› Name is derived from the word ‘Kushak’, which means king or ruler in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit
Mladá Boleslav / Pune, 26 June 2021 – The ŠKODA KUSHAQ marks the beginning of a new era for ŠKODA AUTO in India. The SUV is the first production vehicle of the INDIA 2.0 project – and the first ŠKODA to be developed and manufactured in and for India. The name comes from the millennia-old Indian language Sanskrit, in which ‘Kushak’ means king or ruler. The KUSHAQ is the first of ŠKODA and Volkswagen’s model campaign in India. Overall, ŠKODA and Volkswagen will build four new vehicles based on the MQB-A0-IN – the variant of the modular MQB platform adapted by ŠKODA for India – and specifically tailored to the needs of Indian customers.
“India has great potential for growth for ŠKODA and Volkswagen Group, which we now aim to unlock with the product campaign we’re running as part of our INDIA 2.0 project. The KUSHAQ is the first model to be launched. Our new compact SUV is perfectly tailored to the needs of Indian customers. I am confident that the KUSHAQ will be a success. I’d like to sincerely thank Gurpratap Boparai, his entire team and everybody on the ground: they got a great car rolling.”
Thomas Schäfer, ŠKODA AUTO CEO
“The KUSHAQ heralds a new era in our Indian operations and puts India’s design, engineering and manufacturing expertise on the global map. We are incredibly proud of this model – it is a real milestone for ŠKODA and Volkswagen Group. With an emotive design, excellent workmanship, a comprehensive range of equipment, outstanding active and passive safety, as well as a wealth of Simply Clever features, the ŠKODA KUSHAQ is ideally positioned to take off in a highly dynamic market environment in the growing mid-size SUV segment.”
Gurpratap Boparai, Managing Director of ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited
