by Suman Gupta
- Unparalleled global standards in comfort, performance and design propelling demand for made-in-India Volkswagen cars in the Latin American geography
- Totalling up to over 2,10,000 cars, Vento is the highest exported car from the Volkswagen stable to Mexico till date and owns the third highest share in passenger vehicles there
Pune, July, 2017: Volkswagen India added yet another milestone to its local success story by exporting the 2,50,000th India-made car to Mexico till date. The range of cars exported includes locally-made left hand drive Polo and Vento cars, with the latter witnessing high demand in the geography resulting in a steep incline in exports over the years. In fact, the made-in-India Vento has gone on to become the third highest selling car in the entire passenger car market in Mexico and currently makes up the bulk of car exports by Volkswagen to this geography at 2,10,000.
In total, Volkswagen India exports to over 35 countries across four continents of North America, South America, Africa and Asia and has shipped more than 310,000 cars to these geographies till date. The latest shipment to Mexico will be delivered by Höegh Trigger, the largest vessel of Höegh Autoliners which is also the world’s largest pure car and truck carrier.
Volkswagen India started exports to Mexico with the Volkswagen Vento in the year 2013, within four years of establishing its production plant in the country in 2009. Since then, the export business for Volkswagen from India has only grown while the company has simultaneously worked on further strengthening its local market presence. The export volumes to Mexico contribute to more than half of the total production at the Volkswagen plant in Pune today.
The Vento, built at the Pune Plant, replaced the Jetta Classico in the Mexican market. After being introduced, the made-in-India Vento immediately became a popular car in this market owing to its design, robust build, highest safety standards, comfort and space – all of which ensured an impressive driving experience.
Said Dr. Andreas Lauermann, President and Managing Director, Volkswagen India Private Limited, “The growing popularity of India-made Volkswagen cars in markets like Mexico and others lays testament to our strong focus on quality products across all our manufacturing investments worldwide – in line with our think global, build local philosophy! India on its part, has offered Volkswagen a rich mix of strong local market opportunity combined with manufacturing prowess that helps us serve the world with cars that are German in their soul and local in their flavour.” He went on to add, “We continue to invest in this opportunity and look forward to more successes from India in the years to come.”
The Volkswagen Pune Plant has so far attracted an investment of over € 825 million (₨ 5720 crore). The plant has achieved a localisation level of approximately 82% (without engines and transmissions). With a workforce of 4000 employees, the plant has been operating in three shifts since March 2016.
