Audi to kick off production in India from autumn'07

New Delhi, Dec 18 (UNI) German car maker Volkswagen AG's premium unit Audi AG today said it will start production of its A6 model in India from autumn 2007.

The company will assemble the parts manufactured in Germany for Audi A6 cars at a plant in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, using a system known as complete knocked down (CKD).

''Audi is in the right place in the right time. India is one of our most important future growth market. By 2010, we plan to achieve vehicle sales of around 3,000 units. Our priority is not volume but a strong brand position,'' stated Mr Ralph Weyler, board member for marketing and sales, Audi AG in a statement.

Audi said it also plans to set up a sales company in Mumbai early next year and would expand its Indian dealer network to at least eight exclusive Audi dealers in coming years. At present it has three dealers in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi.

The existing dealer network sells the Audi A4, Audi A6, Audi A8 and the Audi Q7. The company aims to sell around 300 units in this year.

In the first full year of CKD production, that is 2008, the figure will reach 1,000 -- including vehicles still being imported directly.

Audi board member Jochem Heizmann added, ''This move gives us the opportunity to better fulfill our potential on this market.

Through supplying the parts sets, our locations back in Germany will also be benfit.'' UNI PV SRS ND1736