Volkswagen to focus on sustained growth in India

Bangalore, Jan 21 (UNI) Volkswagen, Europe's largest carmaker, aims to capture ten per cent market share in India in the next ten years, a senior official today said.

Talking to newsmen here, Mr Andreas Prinz, Managing Director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars at Volkswagen Group Sales India Private Limited, said at present the sales stood at 70 to 80 cars per month in India.

The company wanted to maintain sustained growth, he said adding sales would pick up after the Rs 2,400 crore manufacturing plant at Chakan in Pune started production in 2009. The plant will initially churn out 1.10 lakh cars a year.

Stating Volkswagen was number four in the world and number one in Europe, Mr Andreas said ''in India our aim is to have sustained growth by building necessary infrastructure, including manufacturing and dealership network rather than going for immediate increase in market share.'' Announcing partnership with Bangalore-based PCH Group which was appointed as Volkswagen's first dealer in South India here, he said '' we are proud to announce our entry into South India with the launch of Passat and the new Beetle.

''While Passat will be available immediately, the new Beetle will be available within next three months time.'' To a question, he said the company had no immediate plans to go in for cheaper car like 'Tata Nano.' He said the dealership network would be increased to 70 from the present three by 2009.

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