Ramp-up phase of new Volkswagen Pune plant in line with initial plans made in the beginning / Mr. Joerg Mueller, Volkswagen Group Chief Representative India and President & Managing Director Volkswagen India Private Limited: “As planned, we are introducing the second shift at the plant” / Celebration to commemorate the Start of Production one year ago
Pune, June 4, 2010 – Volkswagen India celebrated the roll-out of the 10,000th car from its plant in Chakan, Pune. Mr Joerg Mueller, Volkswagen Group Chief Representative India and President & Managing Director Volkswagen India Private Limited; Dr John Chacko, Managing Director Technical Volkswagen India Private Limited and Mr. Holger Nestler, Director of Production, Volkswagen India Private Limited were present at the occasion. At the same time, Volkswagen India also commemorated the Start of Production at the plant one year ago.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mueller said, “I am very happy at achieving an impressive figure of 10,000 in the first year itself; especially during the ramp-up phase of the plant. This is completely in line with our plans since the beginning ensuring the highest level of quality and technology delivered by Volkswagen Group worldwide. On this occasion, I would also like to reiterate that we are extremely happy with our vendors in India and our first ‘Made in India’ car, the Polo offers the same quality and service than any other Polo produced globally.”
Mr. Mueller also announced the introduction of a second shift at the plant, “With the remarkable figure of 10,000, we have proved that the cars built at the Pune plant demonstrates the excellence created when German engineering prowess interacts perfectly with Indian skills. Taking the next step, as planned, we are introducing the second shift of production within the next three months.”
Concluding his remarks Mr. Mueller expressed his gratitude to all the employees for making the plant a success. He was extremely impressed by their enthusiasm and potential to deliver sustained and quality results throughout the year.
Pune plant builds both the Volkswagen Polo and the Skoda Fabia and the 10,000th figure comprises both the cars. The Pune plant is one of the most modern in the Volkswagen Group which contains of 61 plants worldwide in total. It covers all stages in the production process from press shop through body shop and paint shop to final assembly. It has a maximum annual capacity of 110,000 vehicles. Actually more than 1,500 employees are working at the plant what is planned to be increased to around 2,500 at the end of this year.
With a total financial commitment amounting to Rs. 3,800 crores (580 million Euros), the Volkswagen plant in Pune is the largest investment to date by a German company in India.
With the investment coupled with the vertical integration of suppliers and the employment of people, Volkswagen India demonstrates its commitment to the new site. Simultaneously, Volkswagen contributes to a positive development of the economy of the region and of Maharashtra at the same time.
About Volkswagen Group India. With its headquarters in Pune, Maharashtra, the Volkswagen Group is represented by three brands in India: Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda. The Volkswagen Group is completing 10 years of its India journey which began with the entry of the Skoda brand in 2001, Audi brand and Volkswagen brand both in 2007. Each brand has its own character and operates as an independent entity in the market. With 17 models in India and more than 120 dealerships, Volkswagen Group India is all set to capture the Indian market with the inauguration of the Pune plant which has an investment of Rs 3,800 crore (580 million Euros)and a production capacity of 110,000 cars annually. Volkswagen India Group is a part of Volkswagen AG, which is globally represented by 9 brands-Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Scania, Seat, Skoda, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge) and Volkswagen Passenger Cars.