India must re-think plan of becoming global car making hub: Skoda MD

Country has lost the edge due to levies and differential duty structure, says Gurpratap S Boparai

India is no longer an attractive manufacturing centre for export cars. This is largely due to the levies on cars imported from India and the differential duty structure on vehicles, based on their length in the domestic market, said Gurpratap S Boparai, managing director, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India.

He spoke on the sidelines of the Skoda Slavia unveiling on Thursday.  The premium midsize sedan, the second model borne out of the India 2.O strategy, will rival the Honda City, Suzuki Ciaz and Hyundai Verna and go on sale in the first quarter of 2022.

Skoda has ambitions to lead the