Volkswagen might launch a small car in India as well

askicode · 26th March 2007, 09:34

Source: Volkswagen might launch a small car in India as well

VW CEO Martin Winterkorn has been quoted in the media saying that they are reviewing its models for India and sources have added that they are seriously considering plans to introduce a smaller compact car in the M800 range.

The company has already somewhat confirmed that they are going to launch a car in India based on the Polo platform in India which would compete with Swift, Getz.

VW has also said that they are looking at the ‘A Zero Zero Class’, which is the equivalent of Maruti 800.

amit · 26th March 2007, 13:51

The last issue of OD reports that the VW Polo is already undergoing testing in India. VW plans to launch a India specific car based on the Polo is what the mag says.

GeekSrik · 26th March 2007, 13:58

The indian consumer never had it so good and I think by April 2008, there will be so many new choices to take from !! Finally the indian automotive history will take a fresh new turn.

navdeep · 26th March 2007, 18:36

Volkswagen is reviewing its model strategy for India even as it denies media reports in Germany that it is putting its India plans on the backburner. VW CEO Martin Winterkorn made a statement that the company will review its models for India and sources have indicated that there are plans to introduce a smaller compact car in the M800 range.

When contacted Pierre Bruedgam, member of the board-purchasing, Volkswagen India, told ET: “We will not stop our activities in India! We are on track and are following our plans.” A company spokesman added: “We are now in a decision-making process. We are yet to decide on the models to be introduced in the Indian market in 2007 and which car will be produced at our new plant in Pune from 2009 onwards.”

Four months ago, Volkswagen announced that it will introduce a derivative of the Polo in India as a hot hatch in the segment that currently has Swift and Getz. It also announced that it would kick off its India operation with the locally-assembled Passat.

But now indications are that the model choice may undergo a change. In an earlier interview with ET, Bruedgam said VW will launch a new car every year. This year, it is the Passat sedan, a B Class car, which will be launched in September. Next year, the A Class, which comprises the Golf and its derivatives and then, in 2009, the volume segment small car, which will come as both notchback and hatchback.

The company, he said, is also looking at the ‘A Zero Zero Class’, which is the equivalent of Maruti 800. VW is setting up a e410 million, 110,000-capacity car plant at Chakan, near Pune. VW India expects to reach this capacity by 2009, with the launch of its small car, the Golf and its derivatives.

Since India is perceived to be a sedan market, VW India will start off with sedans, first the Passat and then the Golf and its derivatives. For most of its proposed line-up, the car maker is expected to maintain a 55:45 ratio between diesel and petrol.

Story : VW may roll out small car here -Automobiles-Auto-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

cartech · 27th March 2007, 11:40

Today's Business Line reports that VW plans have been put on hold till new MD reviews plans. They cancelled inaugaral function at Chakan. Wait & see.

theMAG · 27th March 2007, 14:45

All you VW fans might have mixed emotions, if your read today's Business Line - BLR ed.

"Volkswaren defers India plans; may review models".

The front-page article goes on to say that the current VW boss Dr. Martin Winterkorn, is "reviewing all the plans made by his predecessor Bernd Pischetsreider" for its Indian ops. The scheduled onsite ceremony on April 4 at its Chakan plant and a supplier meet has been cancelled with no new dates released. Even the car models originally lined up are being intensely reviewed.

benbsb29 · 27th March 2007, 14:50

Why would VW want to target the M800 segment anyways?
IMO all the action is happening at the B & C segments.

agspins · 27th March 2007, 17:23

If VW targets M800 segment, dat means models like VW Fox or Gol would be making it to india with 1.0 litre engine ...

abhibh · 27th March 2007, 20:31

Well i would love to see VW launch Beetle @3.5 - 4.5 lac yummy...

theMAG · 27th March 2007, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by agspins

If VW targets M800 segment, dat means models like VW Fox or Gol would be making it to india with 1.0 litre engine ...

Even if they made it with a 500 cc engine, they wont sell it for less than 7 lakhs.

abhibh · 27th March 2007, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMAG

Even if they made it with a 500 cc engine, they wont sell it for less than 7 lakhs.

7 Lac for 500CC.. Latest i heard was that Fabia will be around 6 Lacs.. And i dont think VW will take such a chance..

Godfather · 27th March 2007, 20:45

If they release the VW Golf ( Supercharged) i am buying one..
It will be fun to fly past the modded cars in a stock Golf.
muhuhuhahahahahaa...

Godfather

theMAG · 27th March 2007, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by abhibh

7 Lac for 500CC.. Latest i heard was that Fabia will be around 6 Lacs.. And i dont think VW will take such a chance..

VW is more an upscale brand than Skoda.

abhibh · 27th March 2007, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMAG

VW is more an upscale brand than Skoda.

I totally agree VW better brand than SKODA. But i was just giving an example that if a FABIA is costing around 6 lac with 1.4L engine then probably 500 CC VW wont sell as much. And if they are thinking of launching a car to compete with M800 it wont cost 7 Lac..

ghostrider4385 · 28th March 2007, 22:27

Exactly WHO in their right minds would buy a 500 or even a 800cc car for 7?! Even if it is a VW. If they had that much money to burn, they would go in for a more powerful car! We must remember that the M800 is percieved as an entry level car. Who would be willing to spend so much for that?

26th March 2007, 09:34	#1
askicode BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 174 Thanked: 73 Times	Volkswagen might launch a small car in India as well Source: Volkswagen might launch a small car in India as well VW CEO Martin Winterkorn has been quoted in the media saying that they are reviewing its models for India and sources have added that they are seriously considering plans to introduce a smaller compact car in the M800 range. The company has already somewhat confirmed that they are going to launch a car in India based on the Polo platform in India which would compete with Swift, Getz. VW has also said that they are looking at the ‘A Zero Zero Class’, which is the equivalent of Maruti 800.
	() Thanks

26th March 2007, 13:51	#2
amit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,717 Thanked: 449 Times	The last issue of OD reports that the VW Polo is already undergoing testing in India. VW plans to launch a India specific car based on the Polo is what the mag says.
	() Thanks

26th March 2007, 13:58	#3
GeekSrik Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,281 Thanked: 22 Times View My Garage	The indian consumer never had it so good and I think by April 2008, there will be so many new choices to take from !! Finally the indian automotive history will take a fresh new turn.
	() Thanks

26th March 2007, 18:36	#4
navdeep BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 892 Thanked: 4 Times	Volkswagen is reviewing its model strategy for India even as it denies media reports in Germany that it is putting its India plans on the backburner. VW CEO Martin Winterkorn made a statement that the company will review its models for India and sources have indicated that there are plans to introduce a smaller compact car in the M800 range. When contacted Pierre Bruedgam, member of the board-purchasing, Volkswagen India, told ET: “We will not stop our activities in India! We are on track and are following our plans.” A company spokesman added: “We are now in a decision-making process. We are yet to decide on the models to be introduced in the Indian market in 2007 and which car will be produced at our new plant in Pune from 2009 onwards.” Four months ago, Volkswagen announced that it will introduce a derivative of the Polo in India as a hot hatch in the segment that currently has Swift and Getz. It also announced that it would kick off its India operation with the locally-assembled Passat. But now indications are that the model choice may undergo a change. In an earlier interview with ET, Bruedgam said VW will launch a new car every year. This year, it is the Passat sedan, a B Class car, which will be launched in September. Next year, the A Class, which comprises the Golf and its derivatives and then, in 2009, the volume segment small car, which will come as both notchback and hatchback. The company, he said, is also looking at the ‘A Zero Zero Class’, which is the equivalent of Maruti 800. VW is setting up a e410 million, 110,000-capacity car plant at Chakan, near Pune. VW India expects to reach this capacity by 2009, with the launch of its small car, the Golf and its derivatives. Since India is perceived to be a sedan market, VW India will start off with sedans, first the Passat and then the Golf and its derivatives. For most of its proposed line-up, the car maker is expected to maintain a 55:45 ratio between diesel and petrol. Story : VW may roll out small car here -Automobiles-Auto-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times
	() Thanks

27th March 2007, 11:40	#5
cartech BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 198 Thanked: Once	Today's Business Line reports that VW plans have been put on hold till new MD reviews plans. They cancelled inaugaral function at Chakan. Wait & see.
	() Thanks

27th March 2007, 14:45	#6
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	All you VW fans might have mixed emotions, if your read today's Business Line - BLR ed. "Volkswaren defers India plans; may review models". The front-page article goes on to say that the current VW boss Dr. Martin Winterkorn, is "reviewing all the plans made by his predecessor Bernd Pischetsreider" for its Indian ops. The scheduled onsite ceremony on April 4 at its Chakan plant and a supplier meet has been cancelled with no new dates released. Even the car models originally lined up are being intensely reviewed. Last edited by theMAG : 27th March 2007 at 14:47.
	() Thanks

27th March 2007, 14:50	#7
benbsb29 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,968 Thanked: 13,221 Times View My Garage	Why would VW want to target the M800 segment anyways? IMO all the action is happening at the B & C segments.
	() Thanks

27th March 2007, 17:23	#8
agspins Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MH-31 Posts: 1,652 Thanked: 508 Times View My Garage	If VW targets M800 segment, dat means models like VW Fox or Gol would be making it to india with 1.0 litre engine ...
	() Thanks

27th March 2007, 20:31	#9
abhibh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Back in the HOOD near you! Posts: 2,768 Thanked: 39 Times	Well i would love to see VW launch Beetle @3.5 - 4.5 lac yummy...
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27th March 2007, 20:45	#12
Godfather Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bangalore / Atlanta Posts: 1,387 Thanked: 70 Times View My Garage	If they release the VW Golf ( Supercharged) i am buying one.. It will be fun to fly past the modded cars in a stock Golf. muhuhuhahahahahaa... Godfather
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28th March 2007, 22:27	#15
ghostrider4385 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 389 Thanked: 12 Times	Exactly WHO in their right minds would buy a 500 or even a 800cc car for 7?! Even if it is a VW. If they had that much money to burn, they would go in for a more powerful car! We must remember that the M800 is percieved as an entry level car. Who would be willing to spend so much for that?
	() Thanks