Peugeot and and India brand are joining forces to build and sell cars and components in India.

The PSA Group and the CK Birla Group sign joint-venture agreements to produce and sell vehicles and components in India by 2020

• Indian project in line with PSA strategic plan “Push to Pass” and the growth plan of the CK Birla Group in the automotive sector
• “Be Indian in India”: Long term partnership with an initial investment in capital expenditure close to €100 million (INR 700 cr) for vehicle and powertrain manufacturing in the State of Tamil Nadu
• Bring state of the art technology for an eco-friendly and safe new product range in line with future industry norms and customers’ expectations

The ceremony of signature held today lays the foundation for a long term partnership between the two Groups and represents a key milestone in the development of the PSA Group in India, a cornerstone of its strategic growth plan “Push to Pass”. The CK Birla Group further deepens its capabilities in the auto component and automotive sector in India.

The partnership entails two joint-venture agreements between the PSA Group and the CK Birla Group companies. 

As part of the first agreement, the PSA Group will hold a majority stake in the joint-venture company being set-up with HMFCL for the assembly and distribution of PSA passenger cars in India. 

None of the pictures below should be considered as cars that will or will not be

produced in India in Joint agreement with Peugeot.

As per the second agreement, a 50:50 joint-venture is being set-up between the PSA Group and AVTEC Ltd for manufacture and supply of powertrains. The manufacturing sites for both vehicle assembly and powertrains will be based in the state of Tamil Nadu.

The initial manufacturing capacity will be set at about 100,000 vehicles per year and will be followed by incremental investment to support a progressive ramp-up of the long term project. The manufacturing capacity for powertrains will cater to the domestic market needs and global OEMs. The performance of the industrial set-up will be supported by a significant level of localization, in order to reach the necessary cost competitiveness.

This long term partnership will allow both companies to participate in the growth of the Indian automotive market, which is expected to reach 8 to 10 million cars by 2025⁽¹⁾ from current 3 million in 2016.

Commenting on the agreements, Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Group said: "Benefitting from the strong support of our Indian partner, the CK Birla Group, and a shared vision, this project is consistent with the strong execution of our Push to Pass strategic plan and represents a major step in PSA Group’s worldwide profitable growth in key automotive markets.”

Speaking to the press in Paris on this momentous occasion, Mr. CK Birla, Chairman, the CK Birla Group, said “We have embraced ‘Make in India for India and the World’ for several decades and are among the early adopters of frugal manufacturing in the country. I am confident that the coming together of the latest state-of-the-art technology from the PSA Group and the engineering and manufacturing excellence of the CK Birla Group will benefit the automotive sector in India.”

Skoda launches the All-New Superb Estate, bigger, better equipped and more eco-friendly.

• New Superb Estate offers best-in-class interior space
• More emotive, expressive and dynamic style
• Simply Clever: More space, more comfort, more safety, more connectivity, more eco-friendly and better driving dynamics
• Available to order in June with first deliveries in September 2015

ŠKODA is once again making its mark with the new ŠKODA Superb. Just months after the debut of the hatchback, comes the new ŠKODA Superb Estate. Based on innovative MQB technology, this attractive newcomer sets new standards in its segment in terms of space, comfort, safety and connectivity. 

The new ŠKODA Superb Estate has the largest interior space and luggage compartment in its class. 

The total boot volume is nearly 2,000 litres. At the same time, the new and expressive ŠKODA design transforms the new-generation model into a stylish estate with dynamic elegance.

“With the new ŠKODA Superb Estate, we have further developed the existing strengths of the Superb and once again set a benchmark. With its expressive, dynamic design, we are emphasising and complimenting ŠKODA’s expertise in the estate segment,” said Dr Frank Welsch, ŠKODA Board Member for Technical Development. 

“The combination of aesthetics, top-of-the range technology and the highest practical benefits makes the new Superb Estate an outstanding vehicle within its segment. With the new flagship, we will attract new customers to our brand,” said Welsch.

ŠKODA has offered an estate version of its top model, the ŠKODA Superb, since 2009. To date, ŠKODA has delivered more than 200,000 ŠKODA Superb Estate models to customers worldwide. This represents 35 per cent of all ŠKODA Superbs sold since 2009.

The new ŠKODA Superb Estate offers the best interior space in its segment. It is based on MQB technology, with a wheelbase that has been extended by 80mm to 2,841mm. The track width has increased to 1,584mm at the front and to 1,572mm at the rear. 

The result: even more interior space. In the latest model, driver and passenger have 39mm more elbow room than before. Headroom in the front is 995mm and 1,001mm in the rear – more than in any other model in the segment. Rear knee-room is 157mm – around twice as much as the next-best competitor. 

Elbow room in the rear has been increased by 70mm. The boot volume also sets a new benchmark: 660 litres, representing an increase of 27 litres compared to the previous model. When the back seats are folded down, the boot volume reaches an impressive 1,950 litres.

The design of the new ŠKODA Superb Estate makes a powerful statement. The design is more passionate, modern and emotionally charged than ever before.

The use of MQB technology also plays a central role when it comes to styling: the longer wheelbase, the shortened front overhang as well as the widened track provide balanced proportions and create the car’s extremely dynamic and sporty impression. 

In combination with increased vehicle length, a long wheelbase, shortened front overhang, a sweeping roof line and a steeply angled rear window, the silhouette evolves as a stylistically confident, perfect entity. The front and rear are expressive and unmistakably ŠKODA.

The new ŠKODA Superb Estate comes with a veritable armada of new assistance systems for increased safety, eco-friendliness and comfort. Like the Superb hatchback, the new Superb Estate also features Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). 

Thanks to the new EU6 engines, the latest edition is more powerful and at the same time up to 30 per cent more efficient than its predecessor. Connectivity reaches a new level of quality: the latest generation of infotainment systems automatically connects to all standard smartphones via SmartLink (MirrorLinkTM, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto technology). 

The optional high-speed internet connection turns the new Superb Estate into a ŠKODA hotspot on wheels.

In September, the new ŠKODA Superb Estate will make its motor show debut at the 66th International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany. The new model will be launched into the first markets in the same month, while UK ŠKODA retailers will start taking orders from June.