Volkswagen demands reliable decisions from the Indian government for the automobile market

At the beginning of February, the Volkswagen Group proposed to the Indian government to create a reliable framework for new product launches. For the Group, which plans to invest 1 billion euros in India, clear statements and regulations are important for bringing new vehicles to market. The AIS standards, which govern the certification of automotive products, play a key role in this discussion. New laws should have adequate lead times so that the automotive industry can react to them and offer customers the appropriate vehicles, Skoda Chairman Maier demanded. In 2018, the VW Group restructured its business in India and assigned the Skoda brand the sole leadership role.

The regulations for electric vehicles in India were also not yet conclusive, he said. “This is a global issue that also applies to the Indian market. If the framework conditions and customer acceptance are in place, we too will bring electric vehicles to market,” Maier continued. There is no clear development plan for electric mobility in India, such as the creation of an infrastructure for charging stations. Maier also criticized the relatively short period of time in which Indian emissions standards have been tightened. “With a lead time of only 2 years, they are putting pressure on the industry”.
Nevertheless, Maier is confident for the Indian automobile market. Volkswagen and Skoda together are expected to have a market share of five percent. This would make India one of Skoda’s five largest sales markets. The Group recently presented the Skoda Vision IN concept vehicle and a compact SUV from Volkswagen under the provisional name Taigun for the Indian market. For the new vehicles, the Group plans to source 95 percent of its parts and components from local suppliers. Vehicles and vehicle components for the Indian market require certification in accordance with the Indian AIS (Automotive Industry Standard). The AIS certification process can be challenging and complex. Feel free to inquire a free check without obligation whether your product is subject to AIS certification from us.
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