Škoda Slavia Production Starts at Chakan Plant in Pune

New Škoda Slavia Production Begins Ahead of 2026 Festive Season

Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited has started manufacturing the updated Škoda Slavia at its Chakan plant in Pune ahead of the 2026 festive season. Škoda Slavia Production introduces updates across design, technology, comfort and safety equipment as the company prepares the refreshed sedan for the Indian market. Since its launch in India, the Slavia has accumulated nearly 80,000 sales, while the company says the model commands about 30 percent of its segment. The updated sedan retains its existing safety credentials while adding new equipment and a revised transmission option.

Eight-Speed Automatic Added to the 1.0 TSI

The major mechanical change for the updated sedan is an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission paired with the 1.0 TSI engine. The model continues with its existing European engineering and five-star Global NCAP safety credentials. Alongside the transmission update, Škoda has added a rear-seat massage function and a 360-degree Area View camera. These additions expand the sedan's comfort and driver-support equipment while retaining the core engineering and safety characteristics described for the existing model. The updated infotainment system also introduces an AI Companion powered by Google Cloud.

Chakan Facility Handles Local Production

The updated Slavia is being manufactured at the Chakan facility in Pune, which forms part of the company's manufacturing footprint in India. SAVWIPL operates two manufacturing facilities in the country with a combined annual production capacity of 315,000 units. The company crossed two million locally produced vehicles in 2025, highlighting the scale of its Indian manufacturing operations. Production of the updated sedan therefore takes place within an established local manufacturing network rather than through a newly introduced production site.

Local Manufacturing Supports International Markets

SAVWIPL's manufacturing strategy extends beyond domestic vehicle production. Under its “Made in India for India and the World” approach, the company has exported more than 725,000 vehicles to over 40 countries. The organization also operates an expanded Technology Centre in Pune that supports localization, product development and adaptation for Indian and international markets. The Slavia's production at Chakan therefore connects the updated sedan with a broader manufacturing and engineering structure supporting both the Indian market and overseas vehicle programs.

Company Executives Highlight India's Manufacturing Role

Andreas Dick, Škoda Auto's Chief Production Officer, said the start of Slavia production further reflects India's role within the company's global manufacturing network. Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO of Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited, said production of the updated sedan demonstrates the company's local development and manufacturing capabilities. Their comments place the Slavia program within the wider context of the company's Indian production and engineering operations, while the vehicle itself receives targeted mechanical, technology and comfort updates for the market.

Updated Slavia Expands Equipment and Technology

The refreshed sedan combines the new eight-speed automatic transmission with equipment additions focused on passenger comfort, visibility and infotainment. The rear-seat massage function adds a new comfort feature, while the 360-degree Area View camera provides expanded camera-based visibility around the vehicle. The AI Companion powered by Google Cloud represents the most notable infotainment change. These additions complement the model's existing safety credentials rather than replacing the engineering and safety foundations carried over to the updated version. The resulting package broadens the Slavia's equipment offering while retaining its established sedan configuration.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The updated Slavia reinforces India's role in SAVWIPL's manufacturing and product-development operations while adding transmission, comfort and connected-technology features to an established passenger-car model. For the company, continued local production supports its existing manufacturing and engineering structure, while the model's reported sales and segment share provide an established market base for the update. The next phase will center on the updated sedan's market rollout ahead of the 2026 festive season and how customers respond to the expanded equipment package, particularly the new automatic transmission and technology features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the updated Škoda Slavia being manufactured?
The updated Škoda Slavia is being manufactured at SAVWIPL's Chakan facility in Pune, where the company produces vehicles for the Indian market. The Chakan plant is part of a two-facility manufacturing network with a combined annual production capacity of 315,000 units. SAVWIPL also operates an expanded Technology Centre in Pune supporting localization, product development and adaptation for Indian and international markets. The updated sedan retains its existing safety credentials while adding an eight-speed automatic transmission, rear-seat massage function, 360-degree Area View camera and an AI Companion.