Skoda is planning to expand its product portfolio in India, including the possible introduction of a CNG powertrain with the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine powering the Kylaq, Slavia and Kushaq. Speaking about the plans, Skoda India brand director Ashish Gupta told our sister publication Autocar Professional, “The 1.0-litre engine and the MQB A0-IN platform are common across the Kylaq, Kushaq and Slavia. So, all three products are open.”
- Petrol models’ market share has fallen due to the Middle East crisis and ethanol blending
- CNG plans being evaluated to stay relevant in the Indian market
- Skoda trying to retain its performance character even with turbo-petrol CNG
“We are working very aggressively on our CNG strategy. With the recent shift towards alternate fuels, and especially CNG, in many parts of the country, I think our CNG plans will get accelerated,” he said.
Skoda’s CNG plans in India
Skoda is assessing how to retain its performance edge with turbo-petrol CNG
Talking about the CNG plans, Gupta further said, “The Middle East crisis and policy noise on ethanol blending have affected consumer sentiment on petrol, resulting in a drop in market share. To stay relevant, we have to diversify.” “The Kylaq segment is the priority where we are trying to tackle CNG,” he added.
For the potential CNG version, Skoda is evaluating how to balance fuel efficiency with the performance expected from its models. Gupta said, “This is something which we have given as a north star to our development team. Compared to petrol, a 10-15 percent drop in performance is expected from CNG, something which is acceptable to customers because they understand that CNG does not give you the same kind of output as petrol. So I have to make sure that I get the right product, the right solution – at the right value proposition, at the right time.”
Gupta believes CNG cars could find buyers even at a higher price point
Gupta also believes there is scope for CNG-powered cars at relatively higher price points, beyond the traditionally budget-focused segment. “There is a potential for the right car at the right price point. And even in CNG, it has moved from the utilitarian kind of customer who wanted to buy a CNG. Today, even premium customers are okay with buying a CNG car purely from the economic benefits they derive,” he said.
In the Kylaq’s compact SUV segment, rivals such as the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite offer a CNG option. Interestingly, the Nexon is the only compact SUV to offer a CNG option with a turbo-petrol engine. In the Kushaq’s midsize SUV segment, the Maruti Victoris, Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder offer CNG options. But in the Slavia’s midsize sedan segment, no car is available with CNG.
With inputs from Ketan Thakkar
Prices are ex-showroom, India.