Volkswagen sets up new corporate sales office in Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 22 (UNI) European Auto major Volkswagen with an aim to further strengthen its Indian operations has set up a new corporate sales office for Volkswagen and Audi here.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr Joerg Mueller, President and Managing Director Volkswagen Group India said, ''Our Indian operations play a significant role in our overall strategy. To further strengthen the growth in India we will increase our Volkswagen and Audi dealerships across the country from 14 at present to approximately 150 by 2011. We look forward to a long-term relationship with the country.'' In 2007, Volkswagen had first introduced to the Indian market, its indigenously built Volkswagen Passat to cater to the premium automobile segment. This was followed by the recent successful launch of the Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen's mid-sized premium car in India.

Volkswagen dealerships are based in New Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Ludhiana.

Audi entered the Indian market in 2005. The Audi model range in India includes the Audi A8, Audi Q7, Audi A6, Audi A4 and Audi TT and is available at present in seven dealerships across the country -- New Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune.

To further increase their footprints in the country Volkswagen offers its top models like the Phaeton and the Touareg as CBUs.

Audi will introduce the super sports car Audi R8 to the Indian market in autumn 2008.

With this office Volkswagen Group Sales Private Limited crosses another milestone, which firmly grounds it to India and displays its firm aspiration to capture the Indian automobile market.

UNI VK RN NP1430