Skoda-Volkswagen To Use Affordable CMP 21 Platform For Their EVs In India
Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (SAVIPL) is all set to produce a range of mainstream electric vehicles to be manufactured in India very soon. Both Skoda and VW are yet to introduce EVs in India and have been facing challenges for a while to launch the Skoda Enyaq and VW ID.4 This project explored using VW’s MEB21 platform –which is a more affordable, front-wheel-drive variant of the group’s rear-drive MEB architecture in the range of Rs 15 lakh-20 lakh.
Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd is in discussion with Mahindra to develop the MEB21 platform together. The partnership is focussed to leverage Mahindra’s strong image in India and local manufacturing expertise while utilising Volkswagen’s advanced EV technology. However, Mahindra showed less keenness and as a result, SAVIPL found it financially unviable to pursue the project independently.
Read also: Now, Set The Pace For Upcoming India Bike Week 2024
The VW Group is also eyeing to use China’s extensive EV expertise and its cost-efficient manufacturing base to create a low-cost variant of its MEB architecture. This new all-electric platform, known as China Main Platform, is an adaptation of the MEB 31 architecture. This is developed by VW China, as the platform benefits from China’s development capabilities and low-cost structure.
The flexible CMP architecture offers lot of practical and flexible solutions that can accommodate midsize SUVs between 4.3 and 4.8 metres. This will position the EV versionsSkoda-Volkswagen of the Kushaq and Taigun, to compete with midsize electric SUVs from other car makers. The CMP platform can also support a 7-seater electric SUV to rival bigger electric SUVs such as the Tata Harrier, Safari and Mahindra XUV.e9 and XUV.e8, likely to be introduced next year.
The CMP 21’s technical details remain under wraps, but is expected to offer a rear-wheel-drive setup as standard, with optional twin-motor, all-wheel-drive variants, accommodating different battery sizes, expected to range from 40kWh to 80kWh. The financial commitment to bringing CMP 21 products to the market is substantial. The Engineering, manufacturing and developing a local supplier ecosystem would require an estimated investment of around Rs 18,500 crore making financial commitment a substantial task. It will be challenging to satiate a price-sensitive market in India particularly when Volkswagen is grappling with declining sales in markets such as China and facing factory closures as well.
Read also: Kawasaki KLX230 An Off-Road Focused Bike Revealed
What looks promising is that both Skoda and VW are committed to developing the CMP 21 in India, sooner or later. The absence of an EV in their line-up poses a threat in a market where Tata motors are already dominating.
