Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited on Thursday inaugurated an expanded wing of its Technology Centre Pune in Baner, adding 33,000 sq ft of dedicated research and development space as the facility works towards becoming a strategic global R&D hub within the Volkswagen Group. The new wing focuses on advanced vehicle development, platform engineering, software solutions and sustainable mobility, bringing the company's total engineering headcount, across the Pune facility and its Chakan plant, to 450 engineers working on both domestic and international projects.
"As part of its long-term roadmap, TCP is set to expand its competencies in digitalization, automation, and advanced safety technologies. This combined engineering ecosystem allows us to deliver global-quality solutions with higher speed, greater localisation, and a sharper understanding of customer requirements in India and the world," Piyush Arora, Managing Director and Chief Executive of SAVWIPL, said in a statement.
The Technology Centre Pune, which was established in 2019, has already played a significant role in developing locally built models including the Volkswagen Taigun, the Skoda Kushaq and the Kylaq, the group's first sub-four-metre SUV.
The expanded Pune facility is expected to strengthen the group's ability to respond to Indian consumer preferences and market conditions, while also supporting export markets and upholding the Volkswagen Group's standards across quality, safety and technology.
Arora added that the expansion further cements India's standing as a development and competency hub for the wider Volkswagen Group.