Petr Janeba, Brand Director of Skoda Auto India, expressed his sentiments about the campaign: "Our new compact SUV Kylaq is for the people of India. We wanted them to be part of every milestone of our biggest-ever launch in the country. The ‘Name Your Skoda’ campaign aimed at inculcating a sense of pride and belonging among participants and potential customers. The results are humbling with over 200,000 entries. It reinforces our legacy in India and showcases the great affinity people have towards brand Skoda. The naming process of a car is important for us. And this upcoming all-new compact SUV represents the ultimate milestone within the fastest growing and biggest segment in India. With the Kylaq, people, customers and fans have themselves named our newest family member, which is developed jointly by the teams in India and Europe, and will be locally manufactured."
Name your Skoda campaign
The “Name Your Skoda” campaign began in February 2024, allowing users, customers, and Skoda enthusiasts to suggest names for the new SUV. The criteria were specific: the name had to start with a ‘K’ and end with a ‘Q’ and could have one or two syllables, adhering to Skoda’s tradition for ICE SUVs. The campaign garnered significant attention, with over 24,000 unique names submitted from the total entries.
In the next phase, participants voted on their preferred name from a shortlist of 15. Ultimately, 10 names were selected, and Kylaq emerged victorious, receiving the most votes and meeting all legal compliance criteria. The name Kylaq is derived from the Sanskrit word for crystal, symbolizing the vehicle’s pristine qualities and its inspiration from Mt. Kailash.
In a unique move, the campaign’s winner, who suggested the name Kylaq, will become the first owner of the new Skoda SUV when it is released in 2025. Additionally, ten other winners will be treated to a visit to Skoda’s headquarters in Prague, including a tour of the Skoda Museum and the city. The names of the winners will be announced today at 2 pm on Skoda Auto India’s social media channels.
Skoda's foray into compact SUV segment
The Kylaq marks Skoda Auto India’s first foray into the compact SUV segment. The vehicle will be based on the MQB-A0-IN platform, similar to the Kushaq SUV and the Slavia sedan. This platform was specifically developed for the Indian market by teams in India and the Czech Republic, focusing on versatility, safety, and dynamics with an emphasis on localization, low maintenance costs, and a hassle-free ownership experience.
Skoda’s new compact SUV will introduce the modern solid design language to the Indian market. The design will feature high ground clearance and ample space around the wheels for better handling of uneven road surfaces, enhancing its SUV character. It will maintain typical Skoda design elements and incorporate refined and precise DRL light signatures. The car's exterior will also showcase a hexagon pattern on its sides and rear. Currently, the Kylaq is going through rigorous testing across India, and Skoda is ramping up production with local suppliers.
This naming tradition follows Skoda's practice established with the Kodiaq, its first full-fledged 7-seater luxury 4x4 introduced in 2017. The name Kodiaq links to the Kodiak bear and the Kodiak Archipelago in Alaska, symbolizing beauty, grandeur, and toughness. The Skoda Kushaq’s name comes from the Sanskrit word for Emperor, further cementing this naming convention. Now, the Kylaq continues this legacy, named through a participatory process while adhering to Skoda’s SUV naming tradition.
Skoda’s India-specific fleet has seen notable success with the Kushaq SUV, launched in July 2021, and the Slavia sedan, introduced in March 2022. These models have driven Skoda Auto India to achieve significant sales milestones, with more than 100,000 cars sold in a short period. The Kylaq will be the third all-new, India-specific product developed by Skoda Auto India, signifying Skoda's expanding presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets.
Skoda’s India-specific fleet has seen notable success with the Kushaq SUV, launched in July 2021, and the Slavia sedan, introduced in March 2022. These models have driven Skoda Auto India to achieve significant sales milestones, with more than 100,000 cars sold in a short period. The Kylaq will be the third all-new, India-specific product developed by Skoda Auto India, signifying Skoda's expanding presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets.
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