[TusharK]

Skoda recently launched the second-generation Kodiaq in India. The carmaker also has plans to import other petrol and diesel models, along with EVs. However, these plans have been put off till the government clarifies its customs duty policy.



Petr Janeba, Brand Director of Skoda Auto India, said, “We are not sure whether under the current conditions when the customs duty is a question mark, and in all likelihood, it will see a downward revision, whether it makes sense to get a CBU.” Janeba added, “There will be a resolution on customs duty within the next three months. We can then consider an EV introduction from Skoda this year.”

Skoda was also looking at manufacturing its EVs locally. However, these plans too have been put on the backburner till the government finalizes advanced fuel efficiency guidelines under CAFÉ 3 (Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency).

Besides the new Kodiaq, Skoda was preparing to launch diesel variants of the Superb and Octavia in India. Another CBU model that was bound for our shores was the Octavia RS. As far as EVs are concerned, the automaker has been evaluating the launch of the Enyaq electric SUV for quite some time.

Source: ET Auto

Link to Team-BHP news

[volkman10]

Very good move by Skoda.

It would have created a lot of 'disgruntled first adopters' in case the import duties were to be slashed owing to Trump's reciprocal tariff effect. The reduction of import duties looks inevitable.

On the flip side companies will not invest in local manufacturing of EVs and will resort to CBUs. (Following Tesla's plan)

[dkaile]

Blame everything on tariffs and the Indian government and don't take responsibility of your own lack of preparedness is so like Skoda. Honda was up and ready in shifting it's Civic production to the US almost immediately.

So many well loved brands from Skoda are almost going down the drain (Superb, Octavia, Rapid). There was high customs in India even 10 years back, but they were able to offer some good value offerings. Not anymore. Or were they really cheating in duties as claimed by the government? Sad!

Cheers...

[abaliga]

This is actually a good move, I hope they will now consider getting more options in the CKD format, this will make their cars more accessible (CBU was a stupid strategy for a value luxury brand like Skoda to begin with!), also, localizing some content on CKD kits will help keeping costs in check and promoting local industries, Hope Skoda works on this and does not stop launching global models because of this decision.

[praveen789]

Originally Posted by TusharK

Skoda recently launched the second-generation Kodiaq in India. The SUV will be imported via the CBU route.

Wasn't the L&K and Sportline that was launched be available in CKD and not CBU route? The RS version that was planned to be launched later the year was CBU.

[sharmanova]

Originally Posted by praveen789

Wasn't the L&K and Sportline that was launched be available in CKD and not CBU route? The RS version that was planned to be launched later the year was CBU.

Even the official review mentions the same:

Originally Posted by Aditya

The Kodiaq will be assembled at its Aurangabad plant and use some locally sourced parts.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by dkaile

Blame everything on tariffs and the Indian government and don't take responsibility of your own lack of preparedness is so like Skoda. Honda was up and ready in shifting it's Civic production to the US almost immediately.

Honda Civic sales in the US = 220k+ per year.

Skoda CBU sales in India = 1k per year?

Obviously there will be differences in the decision making approach! Especially with a rumoured EU-India Trade Agreement being discussed, which could really benefit Skoda.

This pause is also to put some weight on the discussions from the EU perspective, though they do not have a very strong case for themselves.

[chickentuna]

Originally Posted by TusharK

However, these plans have been put off till the government clarifies its customs duty policy.]

I hear that the revamped EV policy is also on hold given the ongoing tariff war.. was hoping to see some (slightly) cheaper EVs owing to the 15% concessional import duty on EVs under the policy. Let’s wait and watch.. maybe Tesla will broker a deal that’s beneficial to all car enthus!