New Skoda Superb’s Arrival in India
Skoda Superb’s Future in India Uncertain
The latest Skoda Superb, now in its fourth generation, might not be coming to India. While previous models were available here, the new one’s import seems unlikely due to high costs.
Why the Change?
Skoda moved Superb production from their Kvasiny plant in Czechia to the Volkswagen Group’s plant in Bratislava, Slovakia. This shift allows them to focus on making more Octavia cars and electric vehicles at Kvasiny.
The Challenge: Import Duties
The Bratislava plant doesn’t produce CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kits for the Superb, which are partially assembled cars shipped for final assembly in other countries. This means India would have to import fully built (CBU) Superbs, attracting high import duties that would significantly increase the car’s price.
A Diesel Option?
There’s a possibility of bringing the diesel Superb to India through the CBU route, but the high import cost remains a concern.
Also read : Tata unveils the production-ready Curvv SUV.
CKD Production Hurdle Blocks New Skoda Superb’s Arrival in India
The future of the new Skoda Superb in India seems bleak. The reason? The factory in Bratislava, Slovakia, where the Superb is now made, doesn’t have the capability to produce CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kits. These kits allow for cost-effective assembly in other countries like India.
Adding CKD production for the Superb in Bratislava wouldn’t be financially sensible. According to Petr Janeba, the brand director for Skoda India, the investment required wouldn’t be justified by the declining global demand for sedans, especially in a single market like India.
Essentially, the lack of CKD production and the decreasing popularity of sedans make it too expensive to bring the new Superb to India. This is bad news for fans of the car in India, who may have to consider the more expensive CBU (Completely Built Unit) import option or look at other car options altogether.
Skoda’s plan to bring back the Superb to India faces hurdles. The new factory doesn’t do CKD kits, making imports expensive. On top of that, sedan sales are dropping (from 4,161 in 2010 to 1,609 in 2022). Even the reintroduced CBU model struggles to sell due to its high price tag (Rs 54 lakh).
