Ishita Sharma 2025-04-23
Customers, eager to drive the all-new Skoda Enyaq, have to wait as Skoda India has put the Enyaq launch on hold amid tariff uncertainties. The company is reconsidering its CKD strategy for the Enyaq as there is trade tension due to such issue.
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Skoda India has postponed the launch of its first electric vehicle, which was originally planned for 2025, as confirmed by Autocar Professional. Among the two EVS under consideration — the Elroq and the Enyaq — the Enyaq appears to be the frontrunner for the Indian market, having been spotted testing on local roads several times. While the company had initially explored the possibility of assembling the EV locally at its Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) facility, it may now opt to import the vehicle as a completely built unit (CBU), depending on whether the government decides to reduce import duties on electric cars.
Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI) delay – Cut import duties by 86 percent
Announced in March 2024, the SPMEPCI policy is designed to lower import duties on electric vehicles from the current 110 percent to 15 percent for models priced above USD 35,000 (approximately Rs.29.90 lakh at the time). This policy permits each manufacturer to import up to 8,000 EVs per year. However, to qualify, companies must meet certain criteria: they are required to invest at least Rs.4,150 crore, set up local manufacturing operations within three years, and achieve a domestic value addition (DVA) of 25 percent by the third year, which must increase to 50 percent by the fifth year.
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“We are committed to EVs. Implementation of the policy remains in flux amid shifting global tariff policies. Our locally manufactured EV will be available by 2028. Still, we are reviewing our CBU and CKD plans amid uncertainty over the EV policy and the current tariff discussion,” said Petr Janeba, brand director of Skoda Auto India, in an interaction with Autocar Professional.
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Import of Patrol and Diesel Cars Also on Hold
The company has also decided to put an import hold for patrol and diesel cars; however, Octavia and Superb sedans to be brought via Cthe BU route. The introduction of petrol and diesel cars in the Indian market has also been paused due to no clarity on customs duties on their import, Janeba told The Economic Times. This pause could affect CBU models such as the updated Octavia and its RS variant. Additionally, the new-generation Skoda Superb, which made its debut in a diesel 4wd version at the Auto Expo 2025, might be brought in as a fully built unit since the Bratislava facility in Slovakia lacks the capability to produce CKD kits for the sedan. In contrast, the second-generation Skoda Kodiaq continues to be assembled locally in India.
