Škoda’s smallest Indian-built SUV, the Kylaq, could eventually be sold in Europe, according to the company’s CEO Klaus Zellmer. Speaking to Autocar, Zellmer said the idea is “very much on the table” and that the car’s design, technology and quality make it a potential candidate for European markets.
The Kylaq is built on Škoda’s MQB-A0-IN platform and measures under four metres long, similar to the new Fiat Grande Panda. It is powered by a 1.0-litre TSI three-cylinder turbo petrol engine producing 114 bhp and 178 Nm of torque, with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes. Boot space is 446 litres, expanding to 1,265 litres with the rear seats folded.
Zellmer noted a significant price gap between the Kylaq in India and the current cheapest Škoda in Europe, the Fabia. “If you look at the Fabia, if you squeeze everything out, you get below €20,000. If you look at the price of a Kylaq in India, there's a massive gap. So, there's a business rationale that you can challenge and see whether that makes sense,” he said.
Škoda has doubled its sales in India over the past year and sees the country as a key growth market outside Europe. The company plans to localise the CMP21 platform from its parent Volkswagen Group for India, and currently operates two factories there employing 5,000 people. Zellmer said the aim is to reduce Europe’s share of Škoda’s business from 80% to a more balanced global portfolio.
