Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to transfer a land parcel adjacent to its manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, for the development of an Advanced Crash Test Facility (ACTF).
The proposed facility will be used by ARAI to conduct crash testing and safety assessments of future mobility vehicles, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and internal combustion engine (ICE) models.
The testing centre is expected to strengthen India’s domestic vehicle testing infrastructure by increasing capacity for Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) evaluations and export homologation programmes. It will also help reduce the industry’s dependence on overseas testing facilities.
Commenting on the partnership, Piyush Arora, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said the company adjusted its future expansion plans to accommodate ARAI’s requirement for land adjacent to its Chakan manufacturing plant.
Reji Mathai, Director of ARAI, said the MoU marks an important step in strengthening India’s automotive testing and safety infrastructure. He highlighted the growing need for advanced vehicle validation, crashworthiness assessments and regulatory compliance capabilities as automotive technologies continue to evolve.
The initiative is expected to support the development of domestic automotive testing capabilities and strengthen India’s readiness to evaluate next-generation vehicle technologies.
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