Piyush Goyal Meets Skoda VW India to Discuss Exports

Piyush Goyal meets Skoda Auto Volkswagen India CEO Piyush Arora to discuss automobile exports, EV manufacturing, localisation and India's position in global automotive supply chains.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has met a delegation led by Piyush Arora, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL), to discuss opportunities to expand automobile exports, strengthen domestic manufacturing and accelerate electric vehicle (EV) production in India. The discussions focused on enhancing India's position as a global automotive manufacturing hub and improving its integration into international supply chains.

The meeting, held on November 9, 2026, covered several priorities for the country's automotive sector, including increasing vehicle shipments to overseas markets, strengthening domestic production capabilities and advancing EV manufacturing. According to a statement from Goyal's office, the engagement also explored opportunities to deepen localisation, encourage innovation and strengthen India's participation in global automotive value chains.

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Localisation and domestic value addition were important themes in the discussions. Increasing the share of locally manufactured components can help strengthen India's automotive supplier ecosystem, reduce dependence on imported parts and improve the competitiveness of vehicles produced in the country. Greater collaboration between automakers and domestic suppliers could also support technology development and create opportunities for businesses across the manufacturing value chain.

The focus on exports reflects India's ambition to become a major production base for international automotive markets. Expanding overseas shipments can help manufacturers use domestic production facilities more efficiently while strengthening the country's role in global trade. The government has continued to encourage manufacturers to increase production capabilities, invest in advanced technologies and develop stronger domestic supply chains.

For Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, the discussions come amid the company's established manufacturing and export operations in the country. Its Indian business operates manufacturing facilities at Chakan in Pune and Shendra in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra. The company has previously exported more than 675,000 India-manufactured vehicles to over 70 countries, demonstrating the role of its local operations in the Volkswagen Group's international production network.

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Electric mobility was another key area of discussion as India seeks to expand its EV manufacturing capabilities. Strengthening local production, encouraging innovation and developing component supply chains will be important to supporting the transition towards electric vehicles. However, the meeting did not announce a specific investment commitment, EV model launch or manufacturing timeline.

The engagement highlights the government's continued interaction with major automobile manufacturers to strengthen India's industrial capabilities. Greater localisation, export-oriented production and investment in next-generation automotive technologies are expected to remain important priorities as the country seeks a larger role in the global automotive industry.