VW's 'India 2.0' project gets a management rejig

With effect from 1st January 2019, Mr Gurpratap Boparai, the current Managing Director of Skoda Auto India Private Limited (SAIPL), will also become the Managing Director of Volkswagen India Private Limited (VWIPL).

As announced a few months back, the Volkswagen Group plans to put itself in a better position in the Indian market as part of its ambitious 'India 2.0' project. Thus, with a move in this direction, the German giant wants to use its existing resources in a more efficient manner to promote higher levels of growth in India. Consequently, Mr Gurpratap Boparai, the current MD of SAIPL will take over as the MD of VWIPL as well, with effect from 1st January 2019. From there on, all the brands under VW India will operate under the leadership of Mr Boparai and will maintain a common strategy for the Indian market. 

Further restructuring in the group will see Mr Pavel Richter, the Technical Director of Production in the ‘India 2.0’ project taking over the production responsibilities for the Group in India. Alongside Mr Richter, Dr Andreas Lauermann will also make a move to the Volkswagen Group to take on new responsibilities. The 'India 2.0' project will thus be led by the newly-formed management.  

Mr Bernhard Maier, CEO of Skoda Auto, explains the way forward for the company in India: 'India is an important and attractive growth market for us. Our goal is clear: In this highly competitive environment, we aim for a combined Volkswagen and Skoda market share of up to 5% by 2025. Based on the MQB A0-IN platform from 2020, we will be offering the right models to unlock the Indian market’s potential.'

As part of ‘India 2.0’, Skoda Auto India will be responsible for the Volkswagen Group’s model campaign in the Indian market. All the future models which will be developed and produced locally in India will be based on the VW's MQB platform which already complies with the upcoming 2020 safety and legal regulations in India. From this, Skoda is also planning to develop a sub-compact platform (MQB-A0 IN) exclusively for the Indian market.

Read more:

India 2.0 – Skoda to lead VW Group’s €1 Billion investment plan