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Time of India
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Key leadership changes announced at Skoda Auto VW India: Details
Ashish Gupta, Brand Director of Skoda India. Skoda Kylaq Real World Review Things To Know Before Buying | TOI Auto Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has announced significant changes in its top management for the Skoda and Volkswagen brands, effective from May 1, 2025. The reshuffle sees two Indian industry veterans, Ashish Gupta and Nitin Kohli , stepping into key Gupta has been appointed as the Brand Director for Skoda India , succeeding Petr Janeba, who concludes his tenure in India and will return to Skoda Auto's headquarters in the Czech Republic .Gupta, who previously held the position of Brand Director for Volkswagen Passenger Cars , brings with him over two decades of experience in the automotive sector . His extensive journey includes more than 12 years with the Volkswagen Group, where he played a crucial role in strengthening the brand's presence in India. In his new role, Gupta will focus on expanding Skoda's footprint, enhancing customer trust, and building a sharper brand identity in the Indian Nitin Kohli has been appointed as the Brand Director for Volkswagen Passenger Cars. Kohli, who was formerly responsible for Sales and Operations at Audi India, boasts 25 years of experience in automotive sales, with over 12 years dedicated to Skoda Auto Volkswagen leadership overhaul is part of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India's ongoing transformation strategy, which focuses on nurturing local talent and boosting brand synergies. With Gupta and Kohli at the helm, the company aims to strengthen its presence in the competitive Indian market, while continuing to deliver on its commitment to innovation and customer-centric tuned to TOI Auto for latest updates on the automotive sector and do follow us on our social media handles on Facebook, Instagram and X.
India Today
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Skoda Auto Volkswagen India rejigs leadership, appoints new brand heads
In a strategic leadership change, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) has announced two key appointments aimed at strengthening its brand presence and accelerating growth in India by promoting local Gupta, the outgoing Brand Director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, has taken over as Brand Director of Skoda India, effective May 1. He succeeds Petr Janeba, who returns to Skoda Auto in the Czech Republic. Gupta brings over 20 years of industry experience, including more than a decade with the Volkswagen Group, and is set to focus on brand growth, customer engagement, and network expansion for Skoda in the Nitin Kohli, currently heading Sales and Operations at Audi India, has been appointed as the new Brand Director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars. With 25 years of experience in automotive sales, and over 12 years with the company, Kohli is expected to drive Volkswagen's next phase of growth in the Indian market. The leadership transition underscores SAVWIPL's emphasis on localisation and nurturing homegrown talent to lead global brands in India. Commenting on the appointments, Piyush Arora, CEO & MD of SAVWIPL, said the changes reinforce the company's commitment to building agile, market-aligned leadership from within India. 'Empowering strong Indian leaders remains a core element of our growth strategy,' he Bures, Board Member and Executive Director for Sales, Marketing & Digital, also praised the appointments, noting that both Gupta and Kohli have consistently demonstrated agility and customer-focused transition marks a broader push by Skoda Auto Volkswagen India to strengthen its market responsiveness through local leadership, drive cross-brand synergies, and support long-term transformation to Auto Today Magazine
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Deals and wheels: Aguero to become Porsche Formula E driver, Volvo's EX30 gets chunky Cross Country version and Volkswagen previews compact EV
:: Volkswagen previews upcoming entry-level electric model Volkswagen has teased a look at its upcoming compact electric vehicle due to be fully unveiled at the beginning of March. Ahead of a production-ready model premiering in 2027, this early look showcases a compact car that will sit at the smaller end of the current Volkswagen range. In a social media clip, both the Lupo and Up! – two of Volkswagen's previous most-compact models – are shown preceding the arrival of the brand-new car. Volkswagen is targeting an entry price of €20,000 – around £16,650 – for the new model, which is predicted to only be offered with an electric powertrain, rather than with a petrol or hybrid alternative. Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, said that the new model would be 'an affordable, high-quality, profitable electric Volkswagen from Europe for Europe. This is the Champions League of automobile manufacturing.' The new model will be one of a number of compact models coming from Volkswagen, with the new-range process kicking off with the production version of the ID.2all prototype vehicle, which is expected to reach dealerships in 2026. Like this new concept, the production ID.2all is targeting a low cost with Volkswagen stating a price of under €25,000, or around £20,819. It's due to be based on the same MEB modular electric platform that has been used on other ID models, such as the ID.3 and electric van. Schäfer also made a fresh commitment to Volkswagen's Wolfsburg plant, stating that it would remain core to the German manufacturer's processes. He said: 'The Wolfsburg plant has a clear perspective for the future. 'The agreed relocation of the Golf to Mexico will free up space for advanced technologies. In Hall 54, new production procedures will be introduced. We intend to produce the electric Golf successor on the new SSP platform there, as well as the high-volume electric T-Roc. This way, we will be making Wolfsburg the capital of our new all-electric compact class.' :: Volvo's EX30 gets rugged Cross Country version Volvo has expanded its current EX30 line-up with the introduction of a new Cross Country version. Following in the footsteps of cars like the V60 and V90 Cross Country, the EX30 Cross Country is a more rugged take on Volvo's smallest electric SUV. Like the models before it, the main points of difference between the EX30 Cross Country and the standard car include a boost in ride height to help it navigate larger obstacles, as well as bigger wheels which can be equipped with an all-terrain tyre as an option. The EX30 Cross Country also benefits from chunky front and rear skidplates and wheel arch extensions that help to give the car a more go-anywhere appeal. Volvo says that owners can also choose from a wide-spanning range of extras, including a roof basket and mudflaps. Inside, the Cross Country features much the same layout as the standard EX30, with a screen-centric design. The main infotainment system uses Android Automotive software, too, meaning that many Google-based services – such as Maps – come pre-loaded and can be used without the need to connect a smartphone. To help boost traction, the EX30 Cross Country uses a dual electric motor setup bringing all-wheel-drive in the process. Volvo says that the EX30 should manage up to 265 miles between charges, while a 10 to 80 per cent top-up could be achieved in 26 minutes when hooked up to a suitably rapid charger. Volvo has yet to announce full pricing and specifications for the EX30 Cross Country with further details released 'in due course'. :: Former professional footballer Sergio Aguero to become Porsche racing driver Former professional footballer Sergio Aguero has swapped the football pitch for the race track with Porsche's Formula E racing team. The ex-Manchester City star from Argentina will make a one-off appearance at the Formula E Grand Prix in Miami from March 5 to March 6. Appearing as part of an 'Evo Sessions' content series, Aguero will be one of a number of celebrities that will get behind the wheel of Formula E vehicles this season. Other stars include Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and Lucien Laviscount. Aguero will be driving a Porsche 99X Electric, and will be given training from the firm's e-sports works team while being supported by Formula E world champion, Pascal Wehrlein. Aguero, said: 'This is absolutely crazy: from footballer to racing driver in one of the fastest racing cars in the world. Every child is familiar with Porsche. The brand represents an iconic heritage, particularly in motorsport. With this in mind, I am absolutely delighted and would like to thank everyone involved for this opportunity. I want to learn as much as possible on my journey to Miami, and to represent the team as well as possible when we get there.' The car that Aguero will be driving can do 0-60mph in under two seconds and features special software which independently adjusts its brake energy recuperation settings for every corner of the race track. Florian Modlinger, director of factory motorsport of Formula E at Porsche, said: 'The 99X Electric is one of the best Formula racing cars in the world. To drive it demands a lot of respect and meticulous preparation.' Before getting behind the wheel, Aguero will be undergoing racetrack training in Porsche's road-going sports cars before entering the Formula E race in Miami next month.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Volkswagen gives first glimpse of entry-level electric model
At a Volkswagen works meeting in Wolfsburg, Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, has presented plans for the future of the core brand. Employees also had a first glimpse of the design of the Volkswagen brand's future entry-level electric model at a price of about €20,000. European OEMs are having to focus on their low-cost electric vehicle offerings and strategies in order to compete with the Chinese OEMs, who are seen as having taken a competitive lead on BEVs and associated supply chains. Volkswagen plans to present the show car for the new entry-level model to the public at the beginning of March. The world premiere of the production model is scheduled for 2027. With a base price of about €20,000, the new entry-level electric model will be 'attractive for a wide variety of user groups', according to VW. Schäfer said: 'An affordable, high-quality, profitable electric Volkswagen from Europe for Europe. This is the Champions League of automobile manufacturing.' VW said low-cost entry-level mobility in the electric era will be one of the cornerstones of the brand's future plan. Together with the production version of the ID. 2all, the new electric model is part of the new electric small car family developed under the umbrella of the Brand Group Core within the Volkswagen Group. The model family includes compact all-electric vehicles based on the new stage in the evolution of the modular electric drive (MEB) platform. The first new model will be the production version of the ID. 2all show car, which is to reach dealerships in 2026 as Volkswagen's first all-electric small car – at a base price of less than €25,000. 'With the results of the negotiations in December, we have embarked on the largest future plan in the history of Volkswagen. We are now following an ambitious course with a view to ensuring that we reach the targets we have jointly agreed. This will be a key step in making electro-mobility attractive for everyone – the clear goal of our brand,' said Schäfer. At the same time, the Volkswagen brand CEO emphasized that Wolfsburg would remain the centre for innovation and production competence. He said the main plant would set new standards in automobile production. Daniela Cavallo, Chairperson of the General and Group Works Council of Volkswagen AG, said: 'The new all-electric entry-level model will be a Volkswagen in the genuine sense of the term. It is therefore appropriate that our employees at the Wolfsburg plant will be the first to have a preview of the design – before the general public.' At the works meeting, brand CEO Thomas Schäfer emphasized that the Wolfsburg plant would remain the heart of the Volkswagen brand in the electric age: 'The Wolfsburg plant has a clear perspective for the future. The agreed relocation of the Golf to Mexico will free up space for advanced technologies. In Hall 54, new production procedures will be introduced. We intend to produce the electric Golf successor on the new SSP platform there, as well as the high-volume electric T-Roc. This way, we will be making Wolfsburg the capital of our new all-electric compact class.' VW says the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) will represent the next generation of an all-electric, fully digitalized, highly scalable mechatronics platform based on a uniform system architecture. Daniela Cavallo added: 'Wolfsburg, the heart of the Group world, will face crucial tasks that we will need to tackle with determination. Technical Development will be performing pioneering work for all the other passenger car brands with the SSP platform, which will be used throughout the Group. This lever will be just as important for our future success as our platform strategy for our current ICE models. At our main plant, we will not only be working on development but also producing strongly over the next few years. The future electric flagships – the Golf and the T-Roc produced in Wolfsburg – currently represent a volume in excess of 500,000 units per year. The main plant has therefore secured a highly attractive vehicle segment and will be continuing the tradition of the Golf from Wolfsburg, which has a history of more than 50 years. It will now be crucial to work consistently on the preparations required for success in the years to come. Volkswagen must set the course in terms of complexity, work procedures and synergy effects. The Works Council and top management will cooperate closely on these developments. Our cooperation will include a joint progress meeting every quarter.' The Volkswagen brand's 'triple A' plan: accelerate, attack and achieve With the 'Zukunft Volkswagen' (Future Volkswagen) agreement, Volkswagen AG agreed with employee representatives at the end of December 2024 on a vision for the future combining economic stability, employment and technology leadership in the field of sustainable mobility. Binding targets and the measures agreed to reach them lay the foundation for projects in the future. The jointly agreed goal is for the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, as the core of Volkswagen AG, to become the technologically leading volume manufacturer globally by 2030. For this purpose, Volkswagen says it has adopted an ambitious three-stage plan: Catch up: competitiveness is to be strengthened by optimising cost structures and extending the existing model portfolio in a targeted way. Attack: there will be nine new models by 2027 including the production version of the ID. 2all for less than €25,000 and the entry-level electric car for about €20,000. Lead: as the technologically leading brand in the volume segment, Volkswagen is setting new standards and forging ahead with mobility throughout the world. "Volkswagen gives first glimpse of entry-level electric model" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
