[volkman10]

Volkswagen group tweaks its ' badge engineered 'strategy.

Skoda and VW products will not be present simultaneously (badge engineered) in certain segments and markets.

- Upcoming <4m SUV will be marketed only by Skoda in India.

- The same sub compact SUV will be marketed by VW in Brazil.

- Likely to future ready for flex fuel, Hybrid and EV.

The development of the new SUV is a closely guarded secret and is being handled jointly by Volkswagen and Skoda. The cooperation will seek solutions to reduce development costs and, in this sense, will take advantage of the entire structure of the MQB-A00 platform. Each brand will have its own version of the model, but some elements - such as front doors - may be the same in both cars.

Link:

[volkman10]

Volkswagen likely to go premium while Skoda will play in the mass market segments in India.

No new products in CKD/Localized planned yet, will rely on CBU's.

GTI could make a comeback to India
Polo GTI or Golf GTI being evaluated
Will launch as a CBU in limited numbers

Volkswagen will bring in the GTI as a full import – which will attract maximum duties – in batches limited to around 200 units



Link" (Rumour : VW Polo could return as an import in GTI form)

[volkman10]

Volkswagen does not want to be a Maruti Suzuki, to go Premium, in India.

VW India brand director Ashish Gupta:

We have successfully repositioned the Volkswagen brand. Whether it is through the products we have introduced, our communication, experience at our dealerships or cost of ownership, we have moved the brand upwards, and we’d like to keep it there because that is what gives us sustainability. Earlier, we used to operate at an average price point of Rs 7 lakh with the Polo and Vento. Now, our average price point is Rs 16 lakh. Our aspiration is not to be a Maruti [Suzuki] and we can never be Maruti or Hyundai. I believe we have found our space and we want to stay true to it.

- Virtus likely to remain the entry-level Volkswagen in India for the foreseeable future.

- Used to operate at an average price point of Rs 7 lakh with the Polo and Vento. Now, the average price point is Rs 16 lakh.

Link:

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Volkswagen does not want to be a Maruti Suzuki, to go Premium, in India.

VW India brand director Ashish Gupta:



- Virtus likely to remain the entry-level Volkswagen in India for the foreseeable future.

- Used to operate at an average price point of Rs 7 lakh with the Polo and Vento. Now, the average price point is Rs 16 lakh.

Link:

What need to be said is that the quality has been reduced without reducing the cost of ownership. I am fortunate enough to be owning an earlier VW and as per our forum's reviews, the current ones may not be a 'Maruti' but it is not 'VW' either.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by volkman10

VW India brand director Ashish Gupta:

Well, thanks a lot, VW. Leaving so many of your humbler fans high and dry.

[tbppjpr]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Volkswagen does not want to be a Maruti Suzuki, to go Premium, in India.

Okay, no problem but then atleast offer something premium like Golf with AWD option as upgrade for the existing VW owners. Today existing Polo owners don't even have another Polo to replace their existing Polos, forget Golf.

Or atleast bring the current generation Polo in original form with the same quality standards you used to maintain in 2010-11 which were at par with the European counterparts. Selling the modified Polos in different shapes and then calling them premium can get you fraction of new buyers, but existing ones now count you just like one out of many other options.

Polo based Virtus/Tigun/Slavia/Kushaq are no where near the Polo sold in Europe.

Polo received so much love and respect in this country despite low sales and made people familiar with the VW brand yet they have been constantly refusing to bring it back.