Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) has resumed production at its Aurangabad plant after the coronavirus-related production stop. At the Pune plant, the manufacturer is continuing preparations for the start of vehicle assembly under the India 2.0 project. The state government of Maharashtra and the local authorities have approved the restart, and both plants have implemented comprehensive safety measures. To ensure the best possible protection of employees’ health, a safety protocol with 60 specific measures is in place at both sites. The company prepared the ‘Start Safe’ protocol in close consultation with health care professionals.
Commenting on the resuming operations, Gurpratap Boparai, MD, SAVWIPL, said, “The post-COVID-19 era will have challenges new and old; however, we need to look ahead with optimism once more. By resuming production, we will be in a better position to react to market demands and consumer needs. Over the past few weeks, we have been working closely with the government, local administration and our medical team to develop safety protocols for production and implemented the same in our operations.”
Production at the Aurangabad plant will initially restart in single-shift operation. The new Skoda Superb, which makes its debut in India tomorrow, will be rolling off its production line. At the same time, production of other Skoda cars and other vehicles belonging to the group, will gradually resume. As the situation in the supply chain eases and personnel availability continues to improve, production is being progressively ramped up to full capacity.
Skoda-Volkswagen is also further intensifying preparations for the India 2.0 project. Sites are being modernised, new facilities are being built, and further steps are being taken towards the start of production of the SUV family based on the MQB platform A0 IN. This version of the modular transverse matrix is specially tailored to the Indian market. It serves as the technological basis for future models of Skoda and Volkswagen. With the Skoda Vision IN and the Volkswagen Taigun, the first concept studies of future series vehicles were exhibited at the Auto Expo 2020 in February.
The 2020 Skoda Rapid, Superb and Karoq are set for launch tomorrow with the group's new set of BS6 TSI engines. Stay tuned to evo India for latest updates.