Skoda to introduce Hyundai Creta rival in 2020 - Report

28/09/2017 - 09:17 Skoda B-SUV, Skoda Sagar Parikh

Skoda plans to develop a new ‘Eco’ car platform for India. According to a report from Autocar India, the company may launch a Hyundai Creta-rivaling B-SUV as the first model based on this platform.

Skoda Karoq front — Skoda's Hyundai Creta rival would ride on the Eco car platform. Skoda Karoq pictured.

The MQB platform is proving expensive for the Volkswagen Group, and so, the company will alter it for India. This re-engineered version of MQB platform, dubbed ‘Eco’ platform, is expected to underpin products in the volume segments first.

When asked about first models based on a localized MQB A0 platform in an interview, Bernhard Maier, CEO, Skoda Auto, said: “We are evaluating various volume segments and the compact SUV and hatchback segments look to be particularly exciting.”

Reports suggest that Skoda will re-engineer the MQB platform by removing some of the irrelevant technology. Also, the MQB platform-based cars having high-tensile steel body panels which are hot stamped may end up having cold stamped lower steel-made panels in India. These panels would probably still exceed the local industry standards, but will be less expensive.

Skoda Karoq — Skoda reportedly plans to introduce a B-SUV internationally in 2019.

Also See: Skoda Vision E Concept at the 2017 IAA – Live

Skoda’s sister brand Seat already has a B-SUV named Seat Arona, and Volkswagen plans to bring a introduce a similar model next year called VW T-Cross. A global model from Skoda will reportedly join the range of Volkswagen Group’s MQB A0 platform-based sub-compact SUVs in 2019.

[Source: Autocar India]