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-   -   VW Polo for 4.35 lakhs - Business Standard (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/37866-vw-polo-4-35-lakhs-business-standard-4.html)

I think GTO had initiated the 'Passat problems alert thread'. If they can't get a car in that price bracket right, how are they going to pull off mass assembling/manufacturing??

I honestly doubt VW will be able to pull off the vision they've been envisaging. Firstly, assembled or produced locally, you can expect a barrage of problems. Mercedes had so many issues when they started assembling their vehicles here, remember?

In addition, if they barge ahead with the kind of expansion announced, they'd need huge numbers of A.S.S centres across the country as they are targeting the masses with the Polo priced at 4.35 ( highly doubtful, and the accuracy of the decimals is hilarious).

I do hope they've thought the whole thing through, for we Indians deserve better than the limited choices we're stuck with at the moment.

Well, to give them credit, the Polo would probably work out more reliable. Why? Because the Polo is a far simpler car and doesn't have any of the high-tech (DSG, E-handbrake) etc. of the Passat. Basic construction!!

But a Polo " 4.35 lakhs? Fat chance of that happening.

The figure of of 4.35 lakhs came from Euro 10,000, which was dutifully converted by our journos into Rs!

Cheers,

True, though VW appears to be trying hard. Their purchasing head said last week that they will begin launching Polo with 55% localization going upto 70% by 2011; and VW is looking to source upto Euro 1 billion from auto component makers in India.

Cheers,

Even then 10000 Euro is Rs 5,90,000/-.

Yes, it was less than that when the news item came (April 08), but there was another news item where the quote was in Euros and that seemed to tally with the figure Business Standard gave - now I am not sure what the price was, assumed it to be Euro 10,000.

In any case, with steel prices crumbling, maybe they will hit their target :)

Cheers,

Speaking of pricing, the Germans especially from the VW/Skoda group seem to think they are pricing their car aggressively. :Shockked:

Here's what I read in ACI (Nov 08 issue) - quoting from an interview with Skoda Auto's chairman:

"When we introduced the Fabia last year, we positioned the car aggressively from the actual cost point of view. We did it as part of a clear strategy to produce a car with a certain percentage of localisation. There will be more localisation opportunities after we produce the car in VW's facility in Pune next year. ...................... But with localisation we open a small opportunity to think about the price position but it may not be as big as the customer expects. Also we can't decide that today because we don't know what is going on with the exchange rate in the market."

And if he can't tell what the price will be next year due to exchange rates, why take claims on the price tag of Polo in 2010 seriously?

And so much for some people speculating that the Fabia will be cheaper due to increased localisation. Don't expect reductions till competition forces them to.

They`ve supposedly increased localization on the Octy, and surprise surprise, no price cuts in the spare parts!

Food for thought : Polo prices start just a notch below that of the Fabia (about GBP 500 - 800) in the UK. I hope they manage better than a 7 lakh price tag for a loaded Polo!

On Polo

VW says entry price for Polo will be $ 8375 or about Rs 4.20 lakhs. Further it appears VW is worried about the success of the Polo hatch because of "tepid response to Fabia". It expects to sell 25,000 units of Polo hatch and an equal number of sedan.

On UP

The biggest bet is on UP though. Looks like contrary to what was thought earlier UP will compete with i10 and A Star. Will be a 1000 cc petrol and diesel unit.

India: Up! To Factor Prominently in Volkswagen's Future

Cheers,

Sub 5 lakh price for Polo seems right considering what has happened with Fabia. Anyone can charge whatever they want but car makers are in the business of selling, and perhaps there is a dissonance between what VW and group companies charge and what consumers get. Perhaps potential buyers expect a complimentary life-time supply of Saridon and Atenolol.

I just received an e-mailer and brochure on the UK spec Polo this morning.

Given these figures above and what we hear coming out of the auto channels and magazines, I am very very concerned about the quality and spec of the final product we will be asked to pay for.

Talk of the 1.6 diesel (90PS) coming to India as a launch engine implies a 11,91,000 rupee onroad price in SEL spec( UK price converted). And this is before one begins tacking on extras like upsized alloys, navigation, auto headlights and wipers, washers, reversing sensors, leather integrated steering wheel, etc. etc. The base 1.2 S version (cheapest on the block) is priced at 7,91,500 ( again converted from pound sterling)

How do we reconcile this?

Are we going to get anything other than a body shell and four seats with an engine plonked in front?

For the prices above, this is what you get if you buy this in the UK:

******************
Standard items of equipment S

Function
–Air vents with ‘High Gloss Black’ trim
–Bag hooks in luggage compartment x 2
–Central locking
–Centre console with open storage compartment
and 12V socket with cover
–Cup holders, front x 2
–Driver’s and front passenger’s sun visors with vanity mirrors
–Driver’s seat height adjustment
–Dust and pollen filter
–Electric windows, front
–Electronic engine immobiliser
–Folding rear seat backrest
–Front wash/wipe with 4 speeds including interval delay
–Gear lever gaiter in ‘High Gloss Black’ trim surround
–Glovebox
–Grab handles, front x 2, rear x 2 with integrated coat hooks
–Handbrake grip button in ‘High Gloss Black’ effect
–Heated rear windscreen, automatically switches off
–Heating and ventilation with 4 speed fan and air recirculation
–Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
–Interior lighting with delay
–Instrument lighting, white adjustable panel illumination
–Internally adjustable driver’s door mirror
–Load lip protective shield
–Luggage compartment light
–Luggage compartment cover, removable
–Manually dimmable interior rear-view mirror
–Note pad holder, pen holder and coin holder in glovebox
–Power-assisted steering, speed-sensitive
–RCD 210 radio/MP3 compatible CD player with 4 speakers, front
–Rear wash/wipe with interval delay
–Steel space saver spare wheel
–Speedo and rev counter, electronic odometer, trip,
service interval display, digital clock and fuel gauge
–Storage compartments in front doors
–Storage compartment in rear doors
–Three-spoke steering wheel
–Warning ‘lights on’ buzzer
–12V socket in luggage compartment
Volkswagen service
–3-year/60,000 miles warranty (whichever is soonest)
–3-year paintwork warranty
–12-year body protection warranty
–Volkswagen Roadside Assistance
Exterior
–Black door mirrors with integrated indicators
–Black radiator grille
–Body-coloured bumpers and side sills
–Door handles, black
–Full size wheel trims
–Galvanised body
–Halogen clear headlights, range adjustable with daytime
running lights
–Heat insulating green tinted glass
–White turn signal lights at rear
–5J x 14 steel wheels with 175/70 R14 tyres
Interior
–‘High Gloss Black’ decorative inserts
–Upholstery – ‘Cirrus’ cloth
Safety
–ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with
HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist)
–Driver’s and front passenger’s airbags
–Driver’s and front passenger’s whiplash-optimised
head restraints
–ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) including EDL
(Electronic Differential Lock) and ASR (Traction Control)
–Height-adjustable front three-point seat belts
with tensioners
–High level 3rd brake light
–Isofix preparation (for 2 rear child seats)
–Rear head restraints x 3
–Rear three-point seat belts x 3
–Side head/thorax airbag system, for front passengers
– Warning buzzer and light for front seat belts if unfastened

Additional items of equipment S A/C

–Air conditioning, ‘Climatic’ semi-automatic control
Exterior
–Alloy wheels, four 6J x 15 ‘Cadiz’ with 195/55 R15 tyres
and anti-theft wheel bolts
–Body-coloured door handles
–Body-coloured door mirrors with integrated indicators
–Chrome trimmed radiator grille louvre
–Rear tinted windows from B pillar back
Interior
–‘Matt chrome’ air vent surround
–‘Matt chrome’ gear lever gaiter surround
–‘Matt chrome’ handbrake button
–‘Matt chrome’ internal door handles
–Upholstery – ‘Strata’ cloth
Function
–Driver’s and front passenger’s under seat drawer
–Electric windows, rear
–Electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors
–Front fog lights
–Front seat back storage pockets
–Luggage compartment with variable load floor
–Multi Device Interface (MDI), glovebox mounted
with USB and iPod connection cables
–Front passenger seat height adjustment
–RCD 310 radio/MP3 compatible CD player with 6 speakers,
4 front, 2 rear and AUX-in socket for connection to an
external multimedia source (e.g. iPod and MP3 player)
–Reading lights, front x 2, rear x 1
–Remote central locking with 2 remote folding keys
–Split folding rear seat backrest 60:40
–Two-tone horn
–Vanity mirrors, illuminated

Additional items of equipment Moda (over S)
Function
–Air conditioning, ‘Climatic’ semi-automatic control
Additional items of equipment Moda A/C (over Moda)
Function

Additional items of equipment SE (over S)

Exterior
–Alloy wheels, four 6J x 15 ‘Castille’ with 185/60 R15 tyres
and anti-theft wheel bolts
–Body-coloured door handles
–Body-coloured door mirrors with integrated indicators
–Chrome trimmed radiator grille louvre
Interior
–‘Matt chrome’ air vent surround
–‘Matt chrome’ gear lever gaiter surround
–‘Matt chrome’ handbrake button
–‘Matt chrome’ internal door handles
–Upholstery – ‘Strata’ cloth
Function
–Air conditioning, ‘Climatic’ semi-automatic control
–Driver’s and front passenger’s under seat drawer
–Electric windows, rear
–Electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors
–Front seat back storage pockets
–Front passenger seat height adjustment
–Luggage compartment with variable load floor
–RCD 310 radio/MP3 compatible CD player with 6 speakers,
4 front, 2 rear and AUX-in socket for connection to an
external multimedia source (e.g. iPod and MP3 player)
–Reading lights, front x 2, rear x 1
–Remote central locking with 2 remote folding keys
–Split folding rear seat backrest 60:40
–Two-tone horn
–Vanity mirrors, illuminated

Additional items of equipment SEL (over SE)

Exterior
–Alloy wheels, four 7J x 16 ‘Navarre’ with 215/45 R16 tyres
and anti-theft wheel bolts
–Chrome trimmed front air intake surround
Function
–Alarm with interior protection
–Carpet mats, front and rear
–Front centre armrest with storage compartment
–Front fog lights
–Front footwell illumination
–Leather trimmed three-spoke steering wheel with
chrome insert, gear knob and handbrake grip
–Luggage compartment with variable load floor
–MDI (Multi Device Interface) with USB and iPod
connection cables
–Multifunction computer (Midline)
–Tyre pressure indicator, displays loss in tyre pressure

NOW WILL VW GIVE ME THE SAME HERE FOR MY MONEY?

Looks very good, but there is a BIG IF

How about service & spares. At some point the Skoda dealerships will definitely want a role, and the reputation of Skoda service is not something worth writing home about.

If VW actually manages to sell the Polo for 4.35, then Maruti should be selling the M800 for free!

OR will offer a maruti 800 on a maruti 800