In a move that reinforces India’s growing reputation as a global automotive engineering powerhouse, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited has inaugurated a brand-new R&D wing at its Technology Centre Pune, adding a fresh 33,000 sq. ft. of innovation-packed real estate to its portfolio. Located in Baner, this new facility isn’t just another office space—it’s where future cars will quietly begin their journey before making loud impressions on roads worldwide.
Designed to accommodate over 250 engineers, the new wing significantly strengthens the company’s talent pool and engineering capabilities. Combined with the existing operations at Chakan, the total workforce now exceeds 450 engineers, all working on projects that span both domestic and international markets. In simpler terms, while your next car may be built anywhere, there’s a good chance its brain was fine-tuned in Pune.
The Baner facility will focus on advanced vehicle development, platform engineering, software solutions, and sustainable mobility innovations. It aligns seamlessly with India’s ‘Make in India’ vision, while also serving the Volkswagen Group’s global ambitions. The idea is straightforward: design in India, build for the world—and maybe enjoy better traffic patience while you’re at it.
Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO of SAVWIPL, described the expansion as a significant milestone in the company’s India journey. He highlighted how the new urban facility complements the established Technology Centre in Chakan, enabling faster development cycles, stronger localisation, and a deeper understanding of Indian customer needs. The roadmap ahead includes enhanced focus on digitalisation, automation, and advanced safety technologies—because modern cars now need to be as smart as the people driving them (or at least try to be).
Since its inception in 2019, the Technology Centre Pune has played a crucial role in shaping products tailored for the Indian market. It has been instrumental in the development of models like the Volkswagen Taigun, Škoda Kushaq, and the recently introduced Škoda Kylaq. These cars not only reflect local preferences but also meet global quality and safety benchmarks—essentially proving that you can have your chai and engineer with precision too.
With this expansion, SAVWIPL continues to double down on its long-term commitment to India, investing in local talent and infrastructure while pushing the boundaries of connected technologies, electrification, and cost-efficient engineering. As the global automotive industry accelerates toward a tech-driven future, Pune seems ready to keep its foot firmly on the accelerator—no clutch delay here.
