Corporate Governance at Škoda Auto Volkswagen India
Corporate Governance is a system to manage and supervise the company. It defines how rights and duties are distributed among company stakeholders, including executive management, employees, and customers. The governance at Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited is a set of methods, and procedures committing us to maintain a balanced relationship between the company and its employees.
The aim is to engage in responsible, qualified, and transparent business management focused on the company’s long-term success and the protection of stakeholder interests. At the same time, corporate policy rests on principles enshrined in “Our Code (Code of Conduct)” at SAVWIPL. Our Code is based on the application of accepted social values.
Integrity & Compliance
At Škoda Auto Volkswagen India, we firmly believe that honest, responsible, and compliant conduct is the foundation for earning and maintaining the trust of our employees, customers, shareholders, business partners, and the general public. Upholding the principles of Integrity and Compliance is essential not only for safeguarding our long-term economic success but also for supporting the company’s direction under the Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Corporate Strategy 2032, which is in line with our brand headquarters Skoda Auto’s Next level Strategy 2030, and is thus on par with the quality of our products, our financial KPIs, and the satisfaction of our customers.
Integrity and compliance principles are not limited to external business relations, they apply across all internal and external company activities. With this approach, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India demonstrates that its conduct will comply with legal and internal regulations, ethical and other rules voluntarily adopted by the Volkswagen Group and Škoda Auto such as, among others, fair competition, finances and tax, prevention of corruption, environmental protection, and relations with employees including the support of equal opportunities, prohibition of discrimination and upholding human rights.
The Governance, Risk & Compliance team at Škoda Auto Volkswagen India is responsible to oversee the implementation of these values by means of providing orientation on Compliance-related matters and supporting for the implementation of appropriate measures to raise awareness among the workforce and third parties. For compliance consultation at Škoda Auto Volkswagen India channels are available to get in contact with GRC (G/O):
compliance@skoda-vw.co.in
Basic principles of integrity
- We do right things out of personal conviction
- We are honest in what we do
- We are courageous and open in our acting
- In our acting we apply our own and corporate values, rules and principles
- We are responsible to our company and business partners
- We are aware of our actions’ consequences, and we take responsibility for it
- We act for the benefit of the whole
- We act regardless of emotional, economic and social pressures
- We don’t allow problems to rest
- Together with integrity, we also do not forget to honor compliance principles (rules and regulations)
Risk Management
The Volkswagen Group’s risk management structure is built on a common principle of risk management, within the Volkswagen Group, complying with applicable legislative requirements. Risk management, as an operational component of the corporate process, must pinpoint individual risks down to the last detail, assess how great they are, take action to eliminate them, and document how effective the response has been.
Volkswagen Group’s global operations on automotive markets throw up numerous risks that could dent its financial performance and business success. At the same time, economic and regulatory changes can offer opportunities that the group then strives to seize so that it is able to consolidate and build on its competitive position.
Our Whistleblower System
Complying with statutory regulations and internal rules, and the principles laid down in the Code of Conduct at Škoda Auto Group and the Code of Conduct for Business Partners, has top priority at Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited. The success of our company is based on Integrity and Compliance. To meet these standards, it is important to learn of potential employee or supplier misconduct and to put a stop to it. Therefore, we entrusted the Central Investigation Office of the Volkswagen Group to operate an independent, impartial and confidential Whistleblower System on our behalf.
A key pillar of our Whistleblower System is the principle of procedural fairness. It also guarantees the greatest possible protection for whistleblowers, persons implicated and employees contributing to the investigation of reported misconduct.
This also includes offering opportunities for anonymous reporting and communication. We assure not to perform any steps in order to identify anonymous whistleblowers, who do not misuse our Whistleblower System. Retaliation of whistleblowers and all persons who contribute to investigations at Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited will not be tolerated. Persons implicated are presumed innocent until the violation of applicable laws and/or internal regulations is proven. Investigations will be conducted with the utmost confidentiality. The information will be processed in a fair, fast and protected process.
The qualified and experienced colleagues at the Investigation Office examine every report for potential misconduct by a Volkswagen Group employee thoroughly and follow it up systematically. First, you will get a confirmation of receipt. The Investigation Office then assesses your report. This includes gathering facts particularly from the whistleblower. Only if this initial evaluation shows grounds for suspicion of a violation an investigation by a dedicated Investigating Unit will be started. Afterwards, the results of the investigation will be assessed by the Investigation Office and appropriate measures will be recommended. Information about the status* and the outcome of the procedure will be given to you without undue delay.
Potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers, including serious risks and violations of human rights and environment by direct and indirect suppliers, can also be reported to the Investigation Office - as well as reports requiring otherwise immediate action. The Investigation Office will inform the responsible departments, who will process the issue accordingly. This particularly includes taking the necessary measures to minimize or end violations and/or risks.
* The processing time varies depending on the subject of the procedure
What kind of report do you want to submit?
A complaint about products or services to our customer service
For complaints or feedback about vehicles and services of Škoda Auto Volkswagen India or our business partners (e.g. car dealerships, workshops), please contact Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Customer Care:
These two email addresses are valid for all 5 brands Volkswagen, Skoda, Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini
- Thank you for your understanding that our Whistleblower System is not primarily meant for questions or complaints of the customers
Please understand that we will not be able to forward your request or take any action for reasons of responsibility.
A report of potential misconduct to our Whistleblower System
The Whistleblower System offers various channels for reporting potential misconduct by Škoda Auto Volkswagen India employees, violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners or serious risks and violations of human rights and environment in our Supply Chain.
E-Mail
The Investigation Office of the Volkswagen Group can be reached via E-mail (in any language):
OR
The Compliance department of Škoda Auto Volkswagen India can be reached via E- mail ( in any language) :
For customer complaints, please contact the channels listed under "A complaint about products or services to our customer service".
Making a report to our Whistleblower System - Postal address / in person
Central Investigation Office
Postal address:
Volkswagen AG, Central Investigation Office
Mailbox 1717
Berliner Ring 2
38436 Wolfsburg, Germany
Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd
G/O - Governance, Risk & Compliance
E-1, MIDC Industrial Area ( Phase -III ),
Village Nigoje, Mhalunge Kharabwadi,
Tal : Khed, Chakan, Pune - 410501
In person:
Ombudspersons
Volkswagen Group has appointed external lawyers to act as Ombudspersons. They advise on the Whistleblower System or ensure that reports from whistleblowers are forwarded anonymously to the Investigation Office if desired.
Online Reporting Channel
You have the option of using a web-based communication platform SpeakUP to contact the Investigation Office in more than 65 languages. This system is confidential and technically secured and allows you to submit reports anonymously.
You can access the online reporting channel through the following link:
You can find detailed instructions on how to make reports online, by app or by phone here
-
SpeakUp - How to Report
762 KB PDF
You can leave us a voice message by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
After entering the phone number (specific to the country you are in) for India 0008 0005 03159, you will be prompted to enter the organization code. Then, you can submit your report as a voice recording. Only a written transcript will be received by the Investigation Office. Dial back in to listen to the reply or further questions by our team.
Select a phone number (for India 0008 0005 03159) and have the corresponding organizational code122203 ready.
You can also download the Speak Up App “Speak Up - Listen for a change“ by People Intouch (personal devices only) to access the secure reporting system. Through this app, you can submit your report in writing or leave a voice message (also anonymously). You will need the organization code 122203. Log back in to see our team's reply or answer further questions.
To download the app, you can scan the QR code:
QR code for entering the organization code:
Do you have further questions or do you need a local contact?
Questions or suggestions for improvement concerning the Whistleblower System can also be addressed to the Investigation Office.
Furthermore, our local Integrity & Compliance Officer/responsible function can also be addressed in all matters of the Whistleblower System via
compliance@skoda-vw.co.in.
