Skoda continues performing better with a presence in the sub-4 metre segment as Volkswagen struggles with limited appeal among budget-conscious buyers
August 2026 was largely a very positive month for car manufacturers in India, with sales growing 35% year-on-year to 4.4 lakh units (August 2025: 3.3 lakh units). At Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd., though, the Czech brand saw a decent growth, while the German marque was among the few ones that slipped into the red.
Skoda delivered 5,650 cars in India in August 2026, which marked a 14% improvement over the same month last year (August 2025: 4,971 units). Needless to say, the Kylaq, the only sub-4 metre model in its showrooms, was its highest seller, contributing 3,590 units to its total volume. Compared to August 2025 (3,099 units), the Tata Nexon rival’s sales grew by 16%.
Model | August 2026 Sales | August 2025 Sales | Difference |
Skoda Kylaq | 3,590 | 3,099 | 16% |
Skoda Kushaq | 1,048 | 789 | 33% |
Skoda Slavia | 897 | 1,008 | -11% |
Skoda Kodiaq | 115 | 75 | 53% |
Total | 5650 | 4971 | 14% |
The Kushaq was second on Skoda’s August 2026 sales chart, with 1,048 units delivered. Compared to August 2025 (789 units), the Hyundai Creta challenger’s sales were up 33%. The Slavia, which was in a transition period, approaching its mid-cycle refresh, saw an 11% year-on-year decline, with sales dropping from 1,008 units to 897 units.
The Kodiaq, currently the only imported model in Skoda’s Indian line-up, registered a 53% year-on-year sales growth in August 2026 (August 2025: 75 units). At Volkswagen, the Kodiaq’s platform-mate, the Tayron, recorded 42 units in sales last month. As for the two-row-only Tiguan, the company sold just 2 units, which represented a year-on-year decline of 75% (August 2025: 8 units).
Model | August 2026 Sales | August 2025 Sales | Difference |
VW Virtus | 1,301 | 1,674 | -22% |
VW Taigun | 938 | 1,001 | -6%` |
VW Tayron | 42 | NA | – |
VW Tiguan | 2 | 8 | -75% |
VW Golf | NA | 36 | – |
Total | 2283 | 2719 |
The Golf, also imported via the CBU route like the Tiguan and offered only in the GTI variant, is sold out. In August 2025, Volkswagen sold 36 units of the hot hatch in India. The German automaker’s best-selling model last month was the Virtus, which will be getting a facelift soon. The company sold 1,301 units of the old sedan, and compared to August 2025 (1,674 units), this marked a 22% decline.
The Taigun, which also challenges the Hyundai Creta, recorded 938 units in sales last month. Compared to August 2025 (1,001 units), when Volkswagen used to sell its older, pre-facelift version, sales were down 6%. In total, Volkswagen delivered just 2,283 cars in India in August 2026, which marked a 16% year-on-year decline (August 2025: 2,719 units). Its sales in India should significantly improve by this time next year, as its officially confirmed sub-4 metre SUV may already be on sale by then.