Published : 05 November 2026
Read Time : 5 min
Author: V3Cars Editorial Desk
Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to strengthen automotive safety and testing infrastructure in Chakan, Pune. Under the agreement, SAVWIPL will transfer a strategic land parcel to ARAI for establishing an advanced crash test facility.

Here's what Skoda Auto Volkswagen India and ARAI have to say about the announcement:
Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in Pune in the presence of Hon'ble Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, GoI, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy; Piyush Arora, Managing Director & CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India; and Dr. Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI, alongside other senior leaders from both organisations to expand automotive safety and testing infrastructure in Chakan, Pune.
Under the agreement, SAVWIPL will transfer a strategic land parcel to ARAI. The land will be utilised by ARAI to establish an advanced Crash Test Facility for future mobility vehicles, including BEV and ICE models, to expand domestic vehicle safety research and testing capabilities. This new infrastructure will enable a greater number of EV-specific tests to be conducted within India, including rigorous NCAP assessments required for export markets.
Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, Hon’ble Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, GoI, said:
“Expanding local R&D and safety testing infrastructure is essential as India's automotive sector advances. This initiative between ARAI and Skoda Auto Volkswagen India strengthens domestic testing capacity for electric vehicles and safety standards. By establishing this facility in Chakan, we are supporting the faster implementation of future Bharat NCAP requirements, helping address India-specific road safety challenges. It will also strengthen the capabilities of OEMs in India to develop vehicles that meet stringent export market requirements.”
Piyush Arora, Managing Director & CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited, said:
“Vehicle safety and local engineering capability are central to our operations in India. When ARAI required land for a specialised crash test facility adjacent to our Chakan plant, we adjusted our future expansion layout to support their request. As the company whose INDIA 2.0 vehicles were the first India-made cars to achieve 5-star Global NCAP ratings for both Adult and Child Occupant Protection, we have always believed that raising safety standards benefits the entire industry. This strategic partnership will help accelerate the development of safer vehicles in India by shortening EV development timelines, strengthening Bharat NCAP testing, and expanding the country's overall automotive engineering capabilities.”
Dr. Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI, said:
“The future of mobility will be defined not only by innovation but also by the strength of the ecosystem that enables safe, sustainable, and globally competitive vehicle development. This MoU represents a strategic milestone in India’s automotive testing and safety infrastructure. As vehicle technologies evolve rapidly, the need for advanced validation, crashworthiness assessment, and regulatory compliance capabilities will continue to grow. We view this partnership as an important step towards building world-class capabilities that will serve the mobility sector for decades to come.”
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