[Aditya]

Volkswagen hosted its Annual Brand Conference in Jaipur earlier this week. Ashish Gupta, Brand Manager, presided over the event.



Here are some highlights of the event:

• Volkswagen revealed that its sales grew 8% in 2023 compared to the previous year. The company is aiming for a growth of ~15% in 2024. Its certified pre-owned car division, Das Welt Auto recorded a sales growth of 18% during 2023.
  
• In 2023 VW had a network of 192 sales & pre-owned car outlets and 142 service touchpoints in 145 cities. These are expected to grow to more than 230 and 145 respectively in 170 cities with rapid expansion in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
  
• Volkswagen claims that it will not offer a sub-4 m SUV in India. It will focus on premium products instead. The Virtus and Taigun will be the entry models in its product portfolio.
  
• The chances of introducing a hatchback are low as the market is favouring crossovers:
  
• Volkswagen unveiled a soon-to-be-launched Volkswagen community called ‘Volkswagen Experiences’ or ‘VWe’. This community building initiative aims to bring customers and fans closer to experiences offered only by Volkswagen.

[Aditya]

ID.4

In keeping with global trends, Volkswagen is advancing its transition from Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) to Electric Vehicles (EV). The company displayed the ID.4 EV which it plans to launch later this year.



The ID.4 is based on Volkswagen's MEB platform. In other markets it is available in single-motor or dual-motor versions. Powertrain details for India have not been revealed. Whether it is the exterior or interior, this feels like a proper European car. It is good looking, solidly built and well finished with good quality materials. The interiors are all black:


Looks extremely proportional from the side. A and C-Pillars along with the side of the roof are finished in silver:


One of those cars that looks great from any angle:


Headlamps incorporate LED DRLs and VW's IQ Light tech:


Front end features a glossy black insert and prominent VW badge. Bumper gets a large air dam with honeycomb mesh detailing and silver skid plate:


Body-coloured ORMVs with integrated LED turn-indicators:


Flap-type door handles. Both front units get request sensors:


Dual-tone 19-inch alloy wheels shod with 235/55 section tyres look proportionate to the metal on top:


VW branded valve caps look cool:


Glossy black B-Pillar with "Volkswagen" branding:


Large panoramic sunroof with silver roof rails and glossy black sharkfin antenna:


Charging port is located on the right rear panel:


In keep with the current trend, there is a light bar connecting the tail-lamp clusters:


With only the stop lights in action:


Dual-tone rear bumper has silver and glossy black inserts:


The engine bay:


No cladding under the bonnet:


Dashboard is grey with a whitish-grey insert. It feels solid and well put together. Lots of soft-touch material has been used:


Leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering gets white stitching and thumb contours. It feels chunky and nice to hold:


Small digital instrument cluster has a clear display:


White stitching on the passenger side of the dashboard:


Seats get black leatherette upholstery with white stitching Individual armrests have been provided for both seats:


Both front seats get electric adjustment and memory functions:


Aluminium pedals look sporty:


Tablet type touchscreen head-unit has a clear display. Multiple functions including the climate control system are operated through it:


Centre console houses two cupholders with a glossy black bezel. It gets 2 Type-C USB ports as well:


Large panoramic sunroof should allow enough light into the cabin to prevent people from feeling claustrophobic:


Doorpads, roofliner, sunvisors and roof bezel are all black:


Leatherette upholstery at the rear. All passengers get 3-point seatbelts:


A/C vents for the rear passengers. Temperature and fan speed are displayed below:

[Aditya]

The company unveiled some new variants of the Taigun and Virtus.

Virtus GT Plus Sport Concept



The Virtus GT Plus Sport is a concept. No timeline has been given for its launch. It uses the same 1.5 TSI engine as the other variants of the Virtus. The motor produces 148 BHP and 250 Nm and is mated to a 7-speed DSG. It features cosmetic changes to the exterior as well as the interior.

Front features a glossy black grille with red "GT" branding...


...darkened LED headlamps...


...and glossy black air dam:


ORVMs are finished in glossy black:


Glossy black insert with red "GT" branding on the front fenders:


Dark chrome door handles:


16-inch "Razor" black alloy wheels with red brake calipers at the front:




Glossy black insert on the running boards:


Carbon steel grey roof:


Rear features a glossy black boot spoiler and dissuser:


"VIRTUS" and "GT" lettering finished in black and red respectively:


Dashboard is finished in glossy black:


Doorpads, headliner, grab handles, sunvisors and roof lamp housings are all finished in black:


Leather wrapped flat-bottom Sport steering wheel with grey stitching:


It gets a red insert and red "GT" branding:


Black leatherette upholstery with grey stitching:




Aluminium pedals:

[Aditya]

Taigun

Volkswagen will now offer the Taigun to customers in three trim levels - GT Edge, Chrome and Sport. Under the new trim line structure, the company unveiled two new variants, Taigun GT Plus Sport and Taigun GT Line.

GT Edge variants will come in both Matte and Black exterior colour options. The cars will come only with the 1.5 TSI engine.

Chrome variants will come with the option of a 1.5 TSI (7-speed DSG & 6-speed MT) engine or a 1.0 TSI (6-speed AT & 6-speed MT) unit. The latter will come in three time levels - Comfortline, Highline and Topline.

Sport variants get blacked design elements. They will be offered in GT Plus Sport variant with a 1.5 TSI (7-speed DSG & 6-speed MT) powertrain and GT Line variant with a 1.0 TSI (6-speed AT & 6-speed MT) powertrain.

GT Line



The GT Line comes with a host of cosmetic changes:


Changes at the front include darkened LED headlamps...


...glossy black radiator grille...


and glossy black inserts in the bumper. Skid plate is finished in black:


On the sides, it gets glossy black ORVM covers...


"GT Line" badges on the front doors...


...dark chrome door handles...


...17-inch Cassino black alloy wheels...


...black roof rails and window bar. B and C-Pillars are finished in matte black:


"GT Line" badge is pasted on the left of the tailgate:


"TAIGUN" and "TSI" lettering are finished in black. Diffuser too is black:


On the inside, there is a glossy black dashboard...


...and a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel...


...with grey stitching:


Seats get black leatherette + fabric upholstery with grey stitching:




Pedals and lower part of the cabin are all black:


Doorpads, pillars, headliner, grab handles, sunvisors and roof lamp housings are all finished in black Red ambient lighting has been provided:

[Aditya]

GT Plus Sport



Volkswagen opened bookings for the soon-to-be-launched Taigun GT Plus Sport. This variant gets 19 exterior and 14 interior enhancements.

LED headlamp are darkened:


Radiator grille features glossy black inserts and red "GT" badge:


Glossy black inserts in the bumper. Skid plate is also finished in black:


ORVMs are finished in glossy black:


Red "GT" fender badge with black surround:


Dark chrome door handles:


17-inch Cassino black alloy wheels and red brake calipers at the front:


Roof rails are finished in black:


B and C-Pillars are finished in glossy black. Window bar is also black:


Roof is Carbon Steel in colour:


Rear features a black coloured design strip:


"TAIGUN" and "GT" lettering on the tailgate is finished in black and red respectively. Skid plate is black too:


Dashboard is finished in glossy black. Red ambient lighting has been provided:


Leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel gets contrast red stitching:


All black door pads with red stitching:




Seats are upholstered in black leatherette:


They get red "GT" branding on the backrests...


...and contrast red stitching. Armrest gets the same treatment:




Aluminium pedals:


Pillars, headliner, grab handles, sunvisors and roof lamp housings are all finished in black Red ambient lighting has been provided:


The Taigun GT Plus Chrome made a very short appearance:

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line.

[anjan_c2007]

The Volkswagen Group India has at least woken up and taken notice of the intricacies of marketing cars in India. They are learners though having started the learning process just a few years ago. Else, earlier they were only introducing and discontinuing models in India since their entry some 16 years back.

The company had sold 134,667 cars in the January-December period of 2022, with an increase of 8 per cent to 145,713 units in 2023. Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has five car brands in India. Though OK for VW to boast of since its sales earlier were in five figures annually, but even this 8% rise, going by the size of our market is a small pie.

Their preferences for GT variants of Taigun and Virtus though good for enthusiasts, may just see some marginal rise in overall sales. We very well know the fate of the GT variants of Fiat, Tata (Indica) and VW Polo that ventured into this arena.

Their EV entry could evince interest amongst buyers and going by the EU, ICE deadlines, they need to rather put their R&D efforts for perfection here.

The Taigun, their much hyped SUV cannot seat three grown up adults on its backseat comfortably. In India if one pays Rs 17 -20 L plus for a SUV, the buyer doesn't expect such congestion on the rear seat.

The larger Tiguan is overpriced at Rs 40 L plus due to duties on components, though now assembled in India. Its in the 2.0 L (TSI) class with 190 bhp and 320Nm of power, where the competing SUV's are many from Mahindra and Tata in this segment. Hence Tiguan sells just 150 -200 units a month.

VW's exit from the mini hatch (B segment) appears to be untimely just post the BS VI (ii) norms kicking in, due to the costs involved to make the smaller engines compatible. They very much need to recast their model range to become the darling of Indian car buyers.

[SiddharthR]

VW is really milking the 'GT' brand now with multiple variants carrying the name, with purely cosmetic differences.

The GT name has gotten it's value because of the Polo GT, which actually had performance credentials to it. While the Virtus/Taigun GT are definitely worthy of the name, carrying the larger motor, I personally feel the varianting is a bit much

I mean, really? 'GT Plus Sport' ?

[Sahil00090]

VW brand should change their name also to 'VW GT India' at this point, I mean their entry level products are now carrying GT just like that. I am happy to see few of these cosmetic changes but adding GT solely for that is a bit much. I think they want VW to be known as a 'GT' brand since majority of VW products on road will carry 'GT' tag now.

Instead of this, they could have just allowed customers to make selections and choose from different options of Grill finish, other exterior finishes and kept GT for their higher Performance 1.5L TSI or performance oriented variants.

[MADMAX111]

VW should introduce vehicles which are of the same quality and driving pleasure such as Jetta and Polo. They should tune the suspension for Indian roads( not too stiff, compliant at low speeds, stiffens as speed goes up). That is what ppl expect. For commuter cars we have other brands to choose from

[RunGaDa]

That blue one reminds me of the station wagon look, only made is better. Toyota had a car model in the US that resembled this, it had defined edges though.
I think it’s a right strategy. More people are moving away from compact sized cars to bigger ones. There’s a case for most original sedans like the CC. It would be a good hit here. Not sure VW even make it still.

[mugen_pinaki27]

The ID.4 looks quite promising. Its sedan sibling, the ID.7, scored high on Car&Driver and TopGear rankings. US prices are between 41,000 to 56,000 USD. That puts the car in the category of the Ioniq 5. The competition only gets better from hereon. Exciting times ahead!

[volkman10]

Probably a recipe to exit!

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:

[MadHawk]

The entire marketing dept needs to be fired starting from the top ! The so called brand director is a pencil pusher /excel sheet guy. They definitely don’t value their customers or understand what VW as a brand stands for among VW enthusiasts and owners in India 🇮🇳.
Curious if it was a brand event. Why did they not showcase their halo product in india and their highest selling product globally the Tiguan or its facelift 🤔