VW to launch Beetle in India

Sahil · 6th January 2009, 11:59

I was hoping to get something cute for the sisters 18th birthday later this year but the Bug @ 20 odd lakhs is too steep for what it's worth.
How much does a Mini Cooper cost after duties etc ?

vkochar · 6th January 2009, 12:01

I'd take the Mini anyday. In fact if FIAT brings the Fiat 500 Abarth then I'd prefer that also.

This is too expensive. But then these cars are always expensive !

For now, my Verna is good for me

SumitBahl · 6th January 2009, 12:06

It was announced quite a while back, around 6-7 months ago i guess.
Discussed here > http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...tle-india.html

canonball · 6th January 2009, 14:24

Isin't the Maruti Swift a Mini by itself. Could be one of the reasons for so few mini's imported so far. I would rather buy a swift than mini to be practical cost effective solution. The current beetle on the other hand is too wired/large & disproportionate compared to the classic one. The Fiat 500 may be a good option and a cheaper one too if you wait a while as inventory builds up which will as they have tasted some success common with anything new in India but going by the global recessionary trend such purchases will come down with later with lag to the real economic crisis in 6 months, you could see a good and quick 10 to 15% of the 16 lac price or even more like to Civic hybrid watch this space. cheers

In fact as sumit mentioned above I saw a yellow Beetle awaiting delivery 9 months ago at the worli VW showroom. It was diesel costing some 23 lacs od on the road.

amit · 6th January 2009, 15:32

Quote:

In fact if FIAT brings the Fiat 500 Abarth then I'd prefer that also.

ACI drove the 500 Abarth at Fiat's Ranjangaon plant. I wonder what Fiat India is upto with a 500 Abarth with them.

vineethvazhayil · 3rd March 2009, 14:17

Volkswagen India-Project Head Ludwig says that the 3600 crores investment in India is on track.

The beetle is to come as a CBU, Polo would be locally manufactured.

Read on at

Beetle to hit Indian roads in Oct; Polo next year-India Business-Business-The Times of India

diabloo · 3rd March 2009, 15:17

Few pics:

.

.

.

Beetle Convertible
.

amit · 3rd March 2009, 16:00

I have driven the beetle extensively with the silly 2.0L 115bhp engine. Anemic performance apart, the car just brings a smile to your face the moment you step inside it. Of course, the Tdi variant will be the one to buy in India which should make the boring performance expereince better over here. I really liked the car. Very chuckable and fun to drive.

So come October, we will have a poll "Fiat 500 v/s VW Beetle: Which one would you buy?"

chennai-indian · 14th August 2009, 10:30

Just read this on the Economic Times :
In three months, Volkswagen's iconic Bug to bite desi roads

14 Aug 2009, 0545 hrs IST, Chanchal Pal Chauhan, ET Bureau

NEW DELHI: On sale - A slice of history for Rs 20 lakh apiece. The Volkswagen Beetle, the world’s longest running and most-produced car of a single
design, will be available in India in three months, offering a Nano-sized ride with the frills of a top-notch SUV.

The car that has meant various things to various people—once the quasiofficial vehicle of Germany’s hated Third Reich in the 1940s, the Beetle went on to become the darling of California beatniks in the Swinging 60s—is being imported as a completely built unit from its Mexico plant, and is currently undergoing technical testing ahead of its India launch.

Its hefty price tag, which pitches it in the luxury car segment alongside Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Skoda Superb and the MercedesBenz C Class, is due to the 110% import duty and high safety specifications.

20 lakhs for a Beetle

?

Mods note: Link URL once again. What you've typed doesn't work. Do not copy paste reply from other applications.

amit · 14th August 2009, 12:25

20 Lakhs?! As good as the Beetle is, that's just too much! It suddenly makes the Fiat 500 look as cheap as a Nano!

fx45 · 14th August 2009, 12:35

20 Lakh is expensive. 10-12 Lakh is what most i thought it woudl ever priced on.

chennai-indian · 14th August 2009, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by chennai-indian

Just read this on the Economic Times :

Mods note: Link URL once again. What you've typed doesn't work. Do not copy paste reply from other applications.

Sorry. Here is the link :
In three months, Volkswagen's iconic Bug to bite desi roads- Automobiles-Auto-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

NIP · 14th August 2009, 13:09

Twice the price for an import. Simple as that...this thing should not be a rupee ofer 10L.

pusako · 14th August 2009, 13:12

Man, the 'bug' is way bigger in size compared to the Nano.It looks hot nevertheless,i used to see a dark blue 'bug' in Nugambakkam regularly about a couple of months ago.
20 lakhs is stratospherically high pricing.Beyond the reach of mere mortals

.The soft top was also launched recently!

gpa · 14th August 2009, 13:57

I admit that it is a beautiful car, but Rs. 20 lacs is obscene!

At the most, I am willing to pay Rs. 10 lacs for the little Beetle. Why doesn't VW source it as a CKD and build it here to keep costs down?

6th January 2009, 11:59	#61
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,607 Times	I was hoping to get something cute for the sisters 18th birthday later this year but the Bug @ 20 odd lakhs is too steep for what it's worth. How much does a Mini Cooper cost after duties etc ?
	() Thanks

6th January 2009, 12:01	#62
vkochar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delhi / Agra / London Posts: 2,146 Thanked: 819 Times View My Garage	I'd take the Mini anyday. In fact if FIAT brings the Fiat 500 Abarth then I'd prefer that also. This is too expensive. But then these cars are always expensive ! For now, my Verna is good for me
	() Thanks

6th January 2009, 12:06	#63
SumitBahl BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 976 Thanked: 230 Times View My Garage	It was announced quite a while back, around 6-7 months ago i guess. Discussed here > http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...tle-india.html
	() Thanks

6th January 2009, 14:24	#64
canonball Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,466 Thanked: 205 Times View My Garage	Isin't the Maruti Swift a Mini by itself. Could be one of the reasons for so few mini's imported so far. I would rather buy a swift than mini to be practical cost effective solution. The current beetle on the other hand is too wired/large & disproportionate compared to the classic one. The Fiat 500 may be a good option and a cheaper one too if you wait a while as inventory builds up which will as they have tasted some success common with anything new in India but going by the global recessionary trend such purchases will come down with later with lag to the real economic crisis in 6 months, you could see a good and quick 10 to 15% of the 16 lac price or even more like to Civic hybrid watch this space. cheers In fact as sumit mentioned above I saw a yellow Beetle awaiting delivery 9 months ago at the worli VW showroom. It was diesel costing some 23 lacs od on the road. Last edited by Technocrat : 3rd March 2009 at 15:21.
	() Thanks

3rd March 2009, 14:17	#66
vineethvazhayil Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,513 Thanked: 456 Times View My Garage	Beetle to hit Indian roads in Oct; Polo next year Volkswagen India-Project Head Ludwig says that the 3600 crores investment in India is on track. The beetle is to come as a CBU, Polo would be locally manufactured. Read on at Beetle to hit Indian roads in Oct; Polo next year-India Business-Business-The Times of India
	() Thanks

3rd March 2009, 15:17	#67
diabloo BANNED Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengalooru Posts: 1,480 Thanked: 17 Times	Few pics: . . . Beetle Convertible .
	() Thanks

3rd March 2009, 16:00	#68
amit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,717 Thanked: 449 Times	I have driven the beetle extensively with the silly 2.0L 115bhp engine. Anemic performance apart, the car just brings a smile to your face the moment you step inside it. Of course, the Tdi variant will be the one to buy in India which should make the boring performance expereince better over here. I really liked the car. Very chuckable and fun to drive. So come October, we will have a poll "Fiat 500 v/s VW Beetle: Which one would you buy?"
	() Thanks

14th August 2009, 10:30	#69
chennai-indian BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 437 Thanked: 641 Times	Volkswagen to launch Beetle in 3 months?!! Just read this on the Economic Times : In three months, Volkswagen's iconic Bug to bite desi roads 14 Aug 2009, 0545 hrs IST, Chanchal Pal Chauhan, ET Bureau NEW DELHI: On sale - A slice of history for Rs 20 lakh apiece. The Volkswagen Beetle, the world’s longest running and most-produced car of a single design, will be available in India in three months, offering a Nano-sized ride with the frills of a top-notch SUV. The car that has meant various things to various people—once the quasiofficial vehicle of Germany’s hated Third Reich in the 1940s, the Beetle went on to become the darling of California beatniks in the Swinging 60s—is being imported as a completely built unit from its Mexico plant, and is currently undergoing technical testing ahead of its India launch. Its hefty price tag, which pitches it in the luxury car segment alongside Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Skoda Superb and the MercedesBenz C Class, is due to the 110% import duty and high safety specifications. 20 lakhs for a Beetle ? Mods note: Link URL once again. What you've typed doesn't work. Do not copy paste reply from other applications. Last edited by Rudra Sen : 14th August 2009 at 12:35.
	() Thanks

14th August 2009, 12:25	#70
amit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,717 Thanked: 449 Times	20 Lakhs?! As good as the Beetle is, that's just too much! It suddenly makes the Fiat 500 look as cheap as a Nano!
	() Thanks

14th August 2009, 12:35	#71
fx45 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: mumbai Posts: 1,823 Thanked: 384 Times	20 Lakh is expensive. 10-12 Lakh is what most i thought it woudl ever priced on.
	() Thanks

14th August 2009, 13:09	#73
NIP Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,180 Thanked: 152 Times View My Garage	Twice the price for an import. Simple as that...this thing should not be a rupee ofer 10L.
	() Thanks

14th August 2009, 13:12	#74
pusako BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 85 Thanked: 0 Times	Man, the 'bug' is way bigger in size compared to the Nano.It looks hot nevertheless,i used to see a dark blue 'bug' in Nugambakkam regularly about a couple of months ago. 20 lakhs is stratospherically high pricing.Beyond the reach of mere mortals.The soft top was also launched recently! Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

14th August 2009, 13:57	#75
gpa Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,789 Thanked: 340 Times	I admit that it is a beautiful car, but Rs. 20 lacs is obscene! At the most, I am willing to pay Rs. 10 lacs for the little Beetle. Why doesn't VW source it as a CKD and build it here to keep costs down?
	() Thanks