The Hindu Business Line : Volkswagen developing small car for India

Luxury sedan: Mr Kevin Rose (right), Executive Director, International Sales, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen AG, and Mr Jorg Muller, President Volkswagen India, unveiling the first locally assembled Passat sedan in Mumbai on Wednesday. —

Our Bureau

Mumbai, Sept. 5 Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd is set to launch their new small car by 2009-10. It is under development and will be manufactured at the new facility in Chakan, Pune said Mr Joerg Mueller, managing director of the Volkswagen Group Sales India Private Ltd, and President, Volkswagen India Private Ltd.

The small car is on the lines of the Polo but having a larger platform and is primarily been developed to cater to India. There does exist the possibility of it becoming an export hub for right hand drive markets globally but currently focus lies with tapping the domestic market as and when the model is introduced, he added.

Prior to the launch of the small car, the company is evaluating to launch the Volkswagen Jetta model (mid-size sedan) though no fixed plans are made as yet said senior company officials.

These announcements were made on the sidelines of the company’s first model launch, the Volkswagen Passat in the country. The luxury car model available in two versions is equipped with 2.0 litre TDI diesel engine; it is now available in the price band of Rs 22.35 lakh – Rs 24.35 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The model will be available through its chain of dealers in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. The company intends to set up more than 10 dealerships by the end of this year said a statement .

A petrol model is in the pipeline though no final plans are made as yet said Mr Andreaz Prinz, head of sales, after sales and marketing for Volkswagen in India.

According to senior officials, the company has identified the Toyota Camry as its main competitor. Its sister company’s Skoda Superb lies in the same price band.

The Passat is assembled at Skoda Auto India’s Aurangabad facility. It will continue to be assembled at Skoda’s facility till the new facility at Pune is not in operation. Though the new facility is primarily being set up for the small car, it will eventually house all Volkswagen models under one roof, said senior officials.