Skoda and Volkswagen Group India will roll out their first India-specific car in 2020 that will be developed at the new technology centre inaugurated here on Saturday.

Kick-starting what is being termed as India 2.0 project, the Volkswagen Group India — led by Skoda — is investing 250 million euros to develop a new platform christened MQB A0 India platform that will underpin all future Volkswagen and Skoda vehicles.

“We will present the first Concept Car based on the new platform at the Delhi auto show in 2020,” said Christian Strube, member of the board for technical development, Skoda Auto.

The new technological centre that will employ 250 Indian engineers was inaugurated by Czech prime minister Andrej Babis along with Strube and Gurpratap Boparai, head of Volkswagen Group India.

Speaking on the occasion, Babis, said: “I am delighted that Skoda Auto is expanding its presence and involvement in India with significant investment and projects. The fact that Skoda is creating opportunities for the high potential market here demonstrates its long-term strategy.'

The group as a whole plans to garner 5 per cent market share by 2025 though now it has a market share of two per cent. It's sales declined by 22.5 per cent to 37038 units in 2018 compared with 47796 units in 2017.

Stating that the new centre will lay the foundation for the development of products that are specially designed for Indian market, Boparai said, “We expect to roll out the first products, for both the Skoda as well Volkswagen brands, by 2020- 21; starting with a mid-sized SUV based on MQB A0 IN platform.”

“A model campaign, led by Skoda, will follow. I am convinced that we can use all the strengths of Skoda to the great benefit of the entire Volkswagen Group,” he added.

Asked how different will be these new products, Strube said: “They will have up to 95 per cent localisation with high ground-level clearance, transmission, air conditioning suited for Indian roads and weather. The designs will have Indian sensibilities with spacious cabins.”

The vehicles developed in India will meet the same core standards for safety, quality and design that the Volkswagen Group represents worldwide. At the same time, both Skoda and Volkswagen will be showcasing models with their own typical characteristics on the market.

Last July, German auto group Volkswagen had announced around Rs 7900-8,000 crore investment in the India 2.0 project, which will primarily be used in developing Skoda and Volkswagen vehicles for the Indian market.