We are well on target, doing things the way we want it: Skoda Director

Skoda has been present in Kolkata for nearly 30 years now.

- RITWIK MUKHERJEE

But this is his first visit to the city, notwithstanding the fact that he always wanted to come here, because Skoda's legacy in Kolkata is much older. Way back in 1934, four Škoda Popular vehicles with 15 kilowatt engine, completed a long-distance trip from Prague to Calcutta (now Kolkata) and back, covering over 15,000 km. This journey was part of an advertising campaign for the Škoda Popular. The trip, which took place from 12 May to 10 September 1934, served to demonstrate the reliability and durability of the Škoda Popular. The successful trip significantly boosted Škoda's exports to India, with India becoming the seventh largest export market for Škoda in 1938.

In his maiden visit to the city, he finds Kolkata to be a very nice city with so much greenery. And although he was given such a perception, he does not find this to be a congested city and, more importantly, for him, he finds the traffic conditions to be much better compared to some other places.

In a conversation with The Statesman, Petr Janeba, Škoda India Brand Director (Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited), speaks at length on the Indian automobile sector, especially the EV segment, Skoda's plans and strategies.

Excerpts:

Q: How do you see the Indian automobile sector performing or evolving over the years?

A: It's a good question. Actually, the auto market in India has been doing well for quite some time now. The market has been growing. The Indian auto market was noticed by global players and everybody long time ago. But I would say that the most remarkable development came up in 2023, when India actually emerged as the number three market in the world automobile market, overtaking Japan. However, there is a way to go, to move up from here and at least be number two, because China is there with a market size of nearly 2.2 crore, followed by the USA with a market size of 1.5 crore. India is at 43 lakh. So, there is still a way to go.