They came, they engineered, they conquered—half a million times over.
Škoda Auto Volkswagen India today rolled out its 500,000th Made-in-India Škoda vehicle, cementing its reputation as a global manufacturing powerhouse—powered not by fuel alone, but by world-class quality, strong localisation, and a healthy dose of Indian jugaad spirit.
Manufactured across two of the Group’s state-of-the-art plants in Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (formerly known as Aurangabad), this milestone is less about numbers and more about nation-building—on four wheels, with chrome accents, and that signature Škoda grille.
It all started in 2001 when Škoda’s maiden Octavia tiptoed out of the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar facility. Fast-forward 24 years, the brand has evolved from “that premium European car in the neighbour’s garage” to “the car your cousin proudly bought on EMI with zero regrets.”
From legends like the Octavia, Laura, and Superb, to contemporary champions like the Kushaq, Slavia, and the upcoming sub-4-metre Kylaq—Škoda has managed to marry European finesse with Indian expectations (and potholes), proving that romance between the Danube and the Deccan isn’t just poetic—it’s profitable.
Škoda’s desi-made machines aren’t just zipping around Indian roads anymore. Thanks to the Group’s global strategy and the Make-in-India-Make-for-the-World mantra, Škoda India is now also exporting parts to Vietnam where the Kushaq and Slavia are being locally assembled. Turns out, India isn’t just exporting IT engineers anymore—we’re sending turbocharged dreams on wheels.
Andreas Dick, Škoda Auto a.s. Board Member for Production and Logistics, proudly declared:
“Reaching 500,000 cars in India is a proud testament to our operational excellence. We’ve built an agile, scalable, and responsive ecosystem that reflects the synergy between world-class innovation and India’s growing industrial prowess.”
Meanwhile, Piyush Arora, CEO & MD of Škoda Auto Volkswagen India, added the emotional mileage:
“We haven’t just built 500,000 cars—we’ve built 500,000 relationships. Each vehicle is a tribute to India’s belief in itself and Škoda’s faith in India.”
And talk about timing—this achievement coincides with Škoda Auto’s 130th global anniversary and 25 years in India, a double celebration that’s less golden jubilee, more Octavia Jubilee Edition with chrome garnishes and cake.
Of the total, nearly 70% were manufactured in Pune, with the rest from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. Add to that, Škoda recorded its highest-ever monthly sales in March 2025, with 7,422 units sold—because clearly, if you give Indians a safe, stylish, and peppy machine, they will drive it like they stole it (but responsibly, with all seatbelts fastened).
As Škoda looks to the future—more electric, more connected, more sub-4 metre—the 500,000th milestone isn’t a finish line. It’s a fuelled-up checkpoint on India’s fast lane to global automotive glory.
And somewhere in the background, an old Octavia quietly whispers, “Told you so.”
