Driving global innovation from India, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India opens new R&D wing in Pune with a 33,000 sq. ft. footprint

Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) today announced the expansion of its research and development footprint with the inauguration of a new wing of its Technology Centre Pune (TCP) in Baner. This expansion underscores the Group’s commitment to nurturing local engineering talent, enabling a sharper response to Indian consumer preferences and market trends, and ensuring faster adaptation and scalability. It also reflects SAVWIPL’s vision of ‘Make in India, for India and the world.’

The new Baner facility spans 33,000 sq. ft. in a prime urban location within Pune city limits. It is dedicated to advanced vehicle development, platform engineering, software solutions, and sustainable mobility innovations. This strategic addition complements the Chakan plant, bringing the total workforce to over 450 engineers engaged in both domestic and international projects.

As an integral part of the Volkswagen Group’s global R&D ecosystem and acting as the ‘Voice of India,’ the new wing further strengthens SAVWIPL’s role in global automotive innovation. It enhances localisation efforts, supports export markets, and upholds the Group’s uncompromising standards of quality, safety, and technology.

Commenting on the announcement, Piyush Arora, Managing Director & CEO, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited, said, “The expansion of our R&D footprint in Pune marks another important milestone in our India journey. With the new Baner wing, we are creating additional capacity in a dynamic urban location while building on the strong foundation of our Technology Centre Pune in Chakan. As part of its long-term roadmap, TCP is set to expand its competencies in digitalization, automation, and advanced safety technologies. This combined engineering ecosystem allows us to deliver global-quality solutions with higher speed, greater localisation, and a sharper understanding of customer requirements in India and the world. It further underlines India’s position as a strategic development and competency hub for the Volkswagen Group.”

Since its inception in 2019, the Technology Center Pune, located within the Chakan facility, has been dedicated to developing vehicles tailored to the needs of customers across the subcontinent. More recently, TCP has played a pivotal role in the creation of locally developed and manufactured models such as the new Volkswagen Taigun, the new Škoda Kushaq, and the Group’s first sub-4-meter SUV, the Kylaq. With this expansion, SAVWIPL continues to reinforce its long‑term commitment to India by investing in local talent and infrastructure, fostering cutting-edge solutions in areas like connected technologies, electrification, and cost-efficient engineering that meet the Group’s stringent European standards.

Further information:

Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited:

• is headquartered in Pune and oversees the Indian operations of six Volkswagen Group brands — Škoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche;
• started its India journey over 25 years ago at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) and today operates two manufacturing plants, including Chakan, Pune, with a combined annual capacity of 315,000 units;
• plays a key role as an export hub under the “Made in India for India and the World” approach, with over 700,000 vehicles shipped to 40+ countries;
• crossed 2 million locally produced vehicles in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the Group in India;
• deepened localisation and strengthened the supplier ecosystem through the INDIA 2.0 project and the introduction of the Group’s first sub-4-metre SUV for Indian customers;
• increased locally built models — Škoda Kylaq, Kushaq, Slavia, Volkswagen Taigun and Virtus — together crossed 550,000 units in 2025;
• offers a wide portfolio across segments, supported by nearly 700 customer touchpoints across the country;
• employs over 4,000 people and has been recognised as ‘Top Employer’ and HR Asia’s ‘Best Companies to Work for in Asia’ for three consecutive years, as well as ET HC MENA for two years in a row;
• continues to focus on sustainable mobility, practical innovation, and a balanced approach across ICE and BEV technologies for India and global markets.

To read more about SAVWIPL, click on www.skoda-vw.co.in