[volkman10]

VW Group announces new management structure in Skoda-led ‘India 2.0’ project.

- Gurpratap Boparai, currently managing director of Škoda Auto India, will also become managing director of the Volkswagen India with effect from January 1, 2019.

-Pavel Richter, technical director of production in the ‘India 2.0’ project will lead production responsibility for the Group in India.

In the future, all Group brands will continue their operations under the leadership of Gurpratap Boparai with a common strategy in the Indian market. The restructuring of the Volkswagen Group companies in India is planned for next year, subject to regulatory approvals

Link

[GTO]

Thanks for sharing, Volkman! Moving your post to a new thread.

Related thread at this link.

VW clearly isn't too interested in India anymore. When the Polo came here in 2010, they were so damn aggressive and were full of talks about challenging Maruti. 8 years down, they are still selling the same old Polo and the next-gen car (released globally) isn't here yet.

[volkman10]

Skoda's press release: Aims at 5% combined ( VW+ Skoda) market share by 2025.

[ajmat]

This will be interesting.

Will there be some slimming down in the corporate office now that the two entities become one?

I understand that there are a lot of culture clashes between the two companies so its not going to be easy.

[shobhit.shri]

Originally Posted by GTO

VW clearly isn't too interested in India anymore. When the Polo came here in 2010, they were so damn aggressive and were full of talks about challenging Maruti. 8 years down, they are still selling the same old Polo and the next-gen car (released globally) isn't here yet.

It looks like the VW group is preparing for the upcoming, life and death, battles of electric and autonomous cars. They at least found a successor in the Skoda to carry the torch in India. It's sad, but I don't think the traditional automakers are going to invest significant money in India when their global bread and butter businesses are at risk right now.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by ajmat

I understand that there are a lot of culture clashes between the two companies so its not going to be easy.

This one is easily solved. Skoda is now the indisputable boss, so the poor VW folk will have to give in.

I think VAG is putting the "VW" brand on hibernation in India. It'll continue with minimal investments. However, once VW solves all of its problems in larger markets (the company is fighting a lot of fires today), it might return to pick up the pace. 5 years? 10 years? Who knows.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by GTO

This one is easily solved. Skoda is now the indisputable boss, so the poor VW folk will have to give in.

Well said! Hopefully the upside is that VW will start allowing Skoda to use the more exotic engine / tranny / chassis / electronic stuff on the India-bound vehicles instead of 'hoarding' it for VW use

[giri1.8]

It's weird that they couldn't taste success even with good products, it was quite obvious that good service was the need of the hour, just improving their sales and service could have multiplied the volume of sale.

Their products might be decade old, but they are still better than freshly baked cars in terms of built quality, performance, fit and finish and even some features!

[Thermodynamics]

Some consolidation activities in Europe as well
Source

VW mulls moving Passat production to Skoda plant in Czech Republic
VW said on Wednesday that production of the models currently built at Emden and Hanover will be transferred step-by step to other group plants.

[Ponkermania]

Originally Posted by GTO

VW clearly isn't too interested in India anymore. When the Polo came here in 2010, they were so damn aggressive and were full of talks about challenging Maruti. 8 years down, they are still selling the same old Polo and the next-gen car (released globally) isn't here yet.

I respectfully disagree.

The VW group will be investing 1 billion Euro in the Indian market over the next few years - to put that into perspective, SAIC plans to start its entire operations in India, from scratch, with 500 million USD. They have also reshuffled the management, putting the more successful (compared to VW) Skoda in charge. Additionally, VW is planning to customise their MQB platform specifically for India, which is a huge engineering undertaking, along with launching models specifically customised for India.

They are, in effect, admitting that their approach so far was not appropriate, which is where you are right, but I think the writing is on the wall for them. India is one of the very few countries globally where they can still profitably flog their fossil fuel powered lineup for quite a few years, while they develop a strong electric car portfolio.

They are, IMHO, finally taking India seriously. How far they will get is anyone's guess, but they are trying!

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by Ponkermania

I respectfully disagree.

I too respectively disagree with your response to GTO. He clearly stated VW as a brand and not the VW group. The latter is clearly investing in India and seems to have a energetic approach now. VW on the other hand is flagging with no Jetta, Polo, Vento platform replacements.

[Ponkermania]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

I too respectively disagree with your response to GTO. He clearly stated VW as a brand and not the VW group.

The topic is about VAG (VW Group), and his post also seemed to be talking about the group. Also, as far as I know, the group decides which brand launches which car with what features, which is why VW brand cars are so under equipped and over priced compared to their Skoda siblings.

Happy to be corrected if I am wrong though.

[AMG Power]

VW initially said that VW would lead the brand in India and Skoda would play second fiddle.

Now it's the complete opposite.

Give them a few more years and they'll come up with something else.

VW has proven time and time again that nothing that they says holds good after a certain period of time.

Even on the current India 2.0 strategy.

Nice acronym maybe. But it can change very very easily.