[volkman10]

VW group plans furter development of ICE product portfolio for India.







Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVIPL) the wholly owned Indian subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group is close to finalizing its next phase of investment and expansion in the country.
The German auto major has been discussing new vehicle architectures with multiple potential partners and is considering all new models, including electric vehicles, for the Indian market.

- Next-gen Skoda Kushaq, Taigun, Slavia, Virtus could switch to updated MQB A0 37 platform
- Larger platform under consideration to underpin future replacements of existing models, and a new 7-seat SUV, along with providing hybrid powertrain options.

Skoda-Volkswagen has already kicked off conversations with Indian suppliers for localising the MQB A0 37 platform. This bigger and wider first generation MQB platform which has spawned cars like third-gen Octavia and Mk 7 VW Golf, will enable Skoda Auto Volkswagen to produce C-segment models.

For its next-generation of cars, which could include future replacements of the Taigun and Kushaq, the MQB A037 is being considered. This larger platform will give Skoda and VW more flexibility with design and could even support a 7-seat SUV, which is a growing segment. However, the MQB A037 has an old or first-gen E/E (electrical and electronic) architecture. Heavy investment would be needed to update the MQB A037’s E/E architecture, which is the backbone of any modern car today, to deliver future connectivity, software and ADAS requirements.

Four new vehicles on this architecture are being explored — the next-gen Slavia, Virtus, Kushaq, and Taigun will transition to this platform. Additionally, a 7-seater SUV for VW and Skoda is being studied to expand the addressable market. The discussions are at the final stages, and the company is likely to launch these new vehicles between 2027 and 2030.

VW Group should invest at least a billion Euros alone or with potential partners. The company is keen on participating in the government of India’s new EV policy, which will call for a minimum of USD 500 million or Euro 400 million (about Rs 3,650 crore). The company is seeking clarity on the policy to define its final blueprint for the future investment.

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[abhkop]

Volkswagen's strategy has been a joke. The PQ25 platform was discontinued due to its outdated E/E architecture. They then created an India-specific modular platform, the MQB A0 27, only to realize it was too small for the segment's standards. Now, they are considering investing in and redesigning the older MQB A0 37 platform for newer models.

Here are my suggestions for the VW Group (if at all they take VOC into account):

1) Continue using the MQB A0 27 platform for Skoda's sub-4m SUV.

2) Re-launch the Polo on the smae P/F. By slightly altering the bumper sizes, it can fit under the 4m length requirement. With the Virtus already localized, the Polo which shares many parts can also be localized. In Europe, the i20 and Polo measure around 4,020-4,040 mm. If the i20 can be launched in India with its European design, so can the Polo. POLO WAS VW's POPULAR MODEL

3) Bring back the 2.0 TDI engine, especially for C-segment models. They require diesel. Audi could also benefit.

4) Conduct market research with industry experts who understand the nuances of the Indian market better.

[DRPSREDDY]

Originally Posted by abhkop

Volkswagen's strategy has been a joke. The PQ25 platform was discontinued due to its outdated E/E architecture. They then created an India-specific modular platform, the MQB A0 27, only to realize it was too small for the segment's standards. Now, they are considering investing in and redesigning the older MQB A0 37 platform for newer models.

Volkswagen or any American and European manufacturer has some restrcted or closed loop R&D structure. The problem with such companies is that they keep their R&D restricted to Europe or American centers and that pushes up their R&D costs high over the sky. If they want to gate crash into the developing markets, they need to totally localise complete R&D and not restrict to tid-bits. They need to provide critical technology and ask them to build upon it to push costs down. That allows engineers to do upgrades locally cost effectively thereby avoiding cost escalation. The main engineering team can monitor and do the final review to certify standards. This will also help trickle technology to other markets that helps in cost rationalisation.

Tata motors faced the same punishment for sharing the FCA's 2.0L diesel engine. The upgrades to BS-6 Phase 2 cost them. Apart from that they wanted a power upgrade which their Italian R&D asked to foot an expensive bill which TATA declined.

Originally Posted by abhkop

Here are my suggestions for the VW Group (if at all they take VOC into account):

1) Continue using the MQB A0 27 platform for Skoda's sub-4m SUV.

2) Re-launch the Polo on the smae P/F.

4) Conduct market research with industry experts who understand the nuances of the Indian market better.

That is a good suggestion but until the local R&D team is given full liberasation, it will not be worthwhile and will not help much as every component addition will cost a bomb and will kill the kid before it's born. Two platform strategy will work. I think the new Sub-4M SUV under testing is based on the same A0 27 platform. They can easily launch a small car too on the same platform.

[volkman10]

Next Gen. localized products from Skoda Auto VW India will be based on Mahindra's platform. Engines will be from the German group.

- The SUV ) is likely to share its New Flexible Architecture (NFA) platform to Skoda-VW as part of the deal consideration, in addition to putting in some amount of cash.

-The deal could have an immediate impact on the development of the next-gen Kushaq and Taigun. These were scheduled to be made on the VW Group’s MQB A0 37 platform, but likely to be scrapped as there is a cost overuun.

-With this proposed alliance – the European carmaker may not have to invest on two different inhouse architectures – MQB A037 and the CMP 21. After the formation of the JV, Skoda Auto VW can use M&M’s NFA architecture for future ICE models, while setting apart CMP for locally produced EVs.

-As for what impact all this could have on the next generation of Skoda’s sedans – Slavia and Virtus – there is still no clarity.



Link: (Skoda in control of VW's product development for India; car based on MQB-A0-IN platform coming)