ŠKODA AUTO CEO, Bernhard Maier, explains, “With ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab India, we are consistently expanding our global network. India is among the innovation drivers when it comes to digitalisation. The average age of the population will be just 29 years in 2025. The majority of our customers in India have grown up with smartphones and expect tailor-made mobility services and seamless connectivity in the car. This is exactly what we are undertaking at our new ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab India in partnership with local high-tech companies.“
Gurpratap Boparai, Managing Director of ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited, added, “With the new digital services and mobility solutions provided by ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab India and our dedicated Software Development Centre in Gurugram and Pune, we want to create a diverse digital ecosystem for our customers. Just like the other members of ŠKODA AUTO’s growing global innovation network, ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab India will also develop mobility solutions and services – always striving to offer real added value for the customer. ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab India may also support ŠKODA AUTO’s core business globally with new technologies and digital solutions.”
New IT units make use of the subcontinent’s leading digital competence
The ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab India team will join forces with technology companies and promising start-ups in the country, in turn promote the countryְ’s intellectual capital, strengthen the local talent pool, and connect the industry with local start-ups to expand India’s position within the global IT industry.
ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab India aims to make use of the immense potential the subcontinent has to offer as a global market leader in software and technology. By working on digital development projects and delivering solutions tailored to the Indian market, ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab India supports the Group’s core business in India. Wherever possible, other ŠKODA markets will also benefit from these developments. To this end, ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab India will be working closely with the car manufacturer’s innovation hubs in the Czech Republic, Israel and China.
The dedicated Software Development Centre with offices in Gurugram and Pune, has been set up as a part of Volkswagen IT Services India Private Limited, is also taking advantage of the country’s huge IT potential, supporting the IT departments of both ŠKODA AUTO and Volkswagen Group. The centre develops program applications and digital solutions that create an even more diverse customer experience for car buyers in India and is working for all of the Volkswagen Group brands present on the Indian market.
Digitalisation is an integral part of the INDIA 2.0 project led by ŠKODA AUTO
The ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab in Pune is an integral part of the India 2.0 project led by ŠKODA AUTO, whereas the Volkswagen Group confirmed investments of around one billion euros.
ŠKODA has consistently established its innovation hubs in important markets and high-tech regions. ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab in Prague was the first of the now four centres, which opened at the beginning of 2017. The first spin-off followed in January 2018, commencing operations in the Israeli IT hotspot of Tel Aviv as a joint venture between the Prague-based ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab and the local importer Champion Motors. The third hub in China joined the team in April 2019 and has since been testing digital prototypes and mobility services for Chinese market. These agile business organisations, which function as start-ups in the IT industry, allow ŠKODA to sustainably strengthen its expertise in both innovation and digital development.
