Skoda VW Developing India Specific EV Platform For Midsize SUV

Skoda Automobile Volkswagen India, the regional branch of Volkswagen AG, the biggest automaker in Europe, has made the decision to use its own internal electric vehicle design while still looking for partnerships and alliances in the nation.

The business has previously investigated Mahindra’s INGLO EV platform and internal combustion engine cars’ NFA, or New Flexible Architecture.

These discussions, however, failed to materialize, therefore it has chosen to localize its own worldwide designs, the MQB A037 for gasoline and hybrid cars and the CMP platform for EVs. In order to meet the indigenous cost structure and requirements, the automaker has thus begun developing the “India Main Platform,” or IMP, for EVs.

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This platform is a derivation of the CMP (China Main Platform) with significant localised components. With two models each for Skoda and VW—a small electric SUV and a midsize SUV—this platform will give rise to four electric SUVs for the group. In April of last year, Volkswagen unveiled the CMP platform for China and gave a sneak peek at the ID.CODE concept SUV, which was built on it.

The VW Group’s Indian branch has begun investigating a localized EV version of the group’s Europe MEB21G platform, which was originally proposed as a PEAK EV project. The business was forced to turn its attention to the CMP architecture when the project was judged unfeasible. The next-generation Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun, which will be larger and broader and have new electrical and electronic architectures to provide Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) capabilities, will be based on the MQB A037.

The Group may be able to choose a more efficient powertrain because the platform is compatible with hybrid technology. Skoda and VW will have greater design freedom thanks to this wider platform, which may even accommodate a 7-seater SUV, which is becoming more and more popular.

Skoda-Volkswagen has reportedly already begun discussions with Indian suppliers to localise the MQB A0 37 platform, according to industry insiders. According to a number of persons with knowledge, the initiative will need to invest between Euros 1 and 2 billion, or between Rs 8,000 crore and Rs 17,000 crore.

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Skoda Auto-VW is in a race against time to launch its greener options for the Indian market given the impending CAFE 3 standards. A Skoda Auto Volkswagen India representative emphasised that India is essential to the Group’s growth strategy and that it aims to offer the most comprehensive and modern product line to consumers in the country, without confirming or disputing the intentions for these vehicle platforms.