New Delhi, 6th January, 2010: Volkswagen India won the coveted ‘Automotive Company of the Year 2010’ award at the Inaugural Auto Bild Golden Steering Wheel Awards India happened a day before yesterday by the leading automotive magazine, Auto Bild India in a glittering ceremony here yesterday. Prof. Dr. Jochem Heizmann, Member of Board of Volkswagen AG with responsibility of ‘Group Production’ received the prestigious award on behalf of Volkswagen India.

Expressing his elation on receiving the award, Prof. Dr. Jochem Heizmann said “The Auto Bild Golden Steering Wheel Awards are held in high esteem across the globe. We are honored to be the first recipient of the “Automotive Company of the Year” in the Indian edition of the prestigious Awards. This is a recognition of our efforts in India reflected not just in our state-of-the-art plant in Pune built in record time but also visible in our cars equipped with the latest technologies for Indian customers across the value chain.”

The Volkswagen Group has experienced strong growth in India. Since the Group’s entry into India in 2001, the three Group brands Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen currently have 16 models in the Indian market. With the launch of the Volkswagen Passat in September 2007 and the Jetta in July 2008, Volkswagen brand offers its first models produced in India. The brand’s first compact car, the Polo officially started production in December 2009, only two years since the first construction work began at the Volkswagen Pune manufacturing plant. The Group has also recently launched the Touareg and the New Beetle in the Indian market.

Also present on the occasion was Mr. Joerg Mueller, Volkswagen Group Chief Representative India, President and Managing Director Volkswagen India Private Limited. According to him,” It is a moment of great pride to us to be felicitated with this prestigious award. Volkswagen is more than just ‘cars’. It embodies a unique style that gives our cars a unique spirit. The Pune plant is a key element in Volkswagen’s India strategy and it reflects our long term commitment to India.”

The factory, which is one of the most state-of-the-art in the Volkswagen Group worldwide, has an annual capacity of around 110,000 cars. With a total volume of around €580 million (Rs. 3,800 crore), it is the largest investment to date by a German company in India.

The Golden Steering Wheel is recognized as the most important annual award for cars in Europe instituted by Auto Bild magazine, which is published across 30 countries. In its Indian edition, the award will acknowledge cars from different segments as well as leading technologies and companies. The elite jury panelist consists of most respected people from the auto sector which include senior engineers, racers from the motorsports world, celebrities, auto enthusiasts and the Auto Bild team.