Volkswagen intends to gain at least one fifth of the market share in the Indian market in next few years. By 2018, it aims to become a major player by replicating its Chinese success story in India. “We are strong in India and we feel we have the best cars for India,” said Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen global CEO. Indian domestic auto market is geared towards 5 million cars annually by 2018 and VW intends to acquire at least 20 percent of the same at that point.
Volkswagen is jointly developing India-specific cars in association with Suzuki Motors Corp where it current holds 19.9 percent stake. Mr Winterkorn had recently stated that he hopes to take Volkswagen past Toyota and General Motors to become the world’s largest carmaker by 2018. “India is very important for us because in markets like China and India, volumes are improving whereas in Europe sales are stuck at the same level,” he stated.
Volkswagen is also desperate to increase its diesel engine options. Suzuki currently has only one diesel engine and it is in talks with Fiat to have better performing and more fuel efficient diesel engines for its models.
