| Volkswagen, Europe's largest automaker is employing | | | | it launched its small car, the Golf and its derivatives. |
| a top-down approach in launching cars in India. And | | | | And since India is considered to be more of a sedan |
| within the span of two years the automaker plans to | | | | market, Volkswagen India would first try to sell sedans |
| bring its small car followed by what seems to be a | | | | like the Passat and then follow it up with the Golf and |
| mini car under the Maruti 800 category to India. | | | | its derivatives. For a great part of its proposed lineup |
| After recently announcing that it will start introducing | | | | the automaker is expected to retain 55:45 ratios |
| the all new Passat as its entry vehicle in India, | | | | between diesel and petrol. Mr. Bruedgam further |
| Volkswagen plans to launch next what it calls the | | | | added, "We will begin our sourcing activities from April, |
| A-Class, the Golf, and its derivatives. According to | | | | first for the cars to be made here and then for the |
| Pierre Bruedgam, a member of the board purchasing, | | | | global market." |
| Volkswagen India, "We will launch a new car every | | | | Volkswagen officials after visiting India saw that a |
| year. This year, it is the Passat sedan, a B class car, | | | | single purchase office may not be enough and said |
| which will be launched in September. And for next | | | | that they may need to open other offices in the other |
| year, the A Class, which comprises the Golf and its | | | | two auto hubs located in Delhi and Chennai. VW |
| derivatives are going to be launch. It will then be | | | | officials have also stated that logistics is an important |
| followed by volume segment small car which will be | | | | consideration when sourcing for global operations if the |
| offered as notchback and hatchback for 2009. In our | | | | company aims to remain competitive. They also added |
| terminology, the small car is A Zero Class. We are | | | | that Europe's largest automaker may also get some |
| also looking at the A Zero Class, which is the | | | | of their metal products from India particularly for its |
| equivalent of the Maruti 800." | | | | needed volume products. And since a great number of |
| Mr. Bruedgam was in Pune for the inauguration of it's | | | | VW cars are expected to be sold in India, the |
| off site office and at the same time was looking for | | | | automaker would also make sure that aftersales |
| some interested local sourcing for the e410 million, | | | | services such as repairs are made available to the |
| 110,000-capacity car plant at Chakan. Volkswagen India | | | | customers that is, aside from the Volkswagen Repair |
| is expecting to reach the 110,000 capacity by 2009 as | | | | Manuals that goes with the vehicles. |