Students Build Volkswagen Taigun Pickup Truck Prototype

Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) has taken a significant step in supporting India’s ‘Skill India’ initiative with the successful completion of its Student Car Project 2.0. As part of this initiative, mechatronics students created an innovative pickup truck by combining components from the Volkswagen Taigun SUV and the Volkswagen Virtus sedan. This project reflects SAVWIPL’s commitment to fostering innovation, hands-on learning, and industry-relevant skills among India’s youth, aligning with the nation’s goal of becoming a global manufacturing hub.

The Student Car Project took place over nine months, with students involved in every stage of vehicle development—from finalizing the car concept to design, market analysis, research and development, procurement, and testing. A notable feature of the project was the use of 3D printing for the manufacturing of various car components, highlighting the students' capacity to integrate cutting-edge technology into the design and production process.

To enhance the functionality of the vehicle, students outfitted the pickup truck with specialised accessories, such as underbody protection for rugged use, studded tyres for improved grip in challenging terrains, ambient lighting for interior comfort, roof-mounted lights for added visibility in off-road conditions. these features collectively gave the vehicle a robust and practical design, aligning with the pickup truck’s intended off-road capabilities.

The students worked under the guidance of experienced professionals at SAVWIPL, receiving mentorship on collaborating with suppliers, managing industry expectations, and refining their innovative ideas. This close collaboration between students and mentors ensured the students had access to real-world insights into automotive manufacturing processes while learning global best practices.

The Student Car Project aligns closely with the Indian government’s ‘Skill India’ initiative, which seeks to upskill the youth and prepare them for future workforce needs. As part of SAVWIPL’s broader educational efforts, the Dual Vocational Training program in mechatronics has been running since 2011. This 3.5-year full-time program is modelled after Germany’s highly regarded vocational training system, equipping students with essential skills needed in the automobile industry.