Volkswagen's Chakan plant to commence production in 2009

New Delhi, Sep 4 (UNI) German carmaker Volkswagen today it said its Rs 3,500 crore greenfield car manufacturing plant at Chakan in Pune will be operational by second half of next year.

''The Chakan plant which was earlier scheduled to be commissioned in 2010, will be operational in mid - 2009,'' Volkswagen Head of Communications (India) Kurt Rippholz told reporters here.

Volkswagen had signed an agreement with the Maharashtra Government for setting up the plant at Chakan near Pune in 2006.

The company will be initially manufacturing Skoda Fabia in the plant and in 2010, it will develop two Volkswagen models -- a sedan and a hatchback in petrol and diesel versions -- in the facility.

UNI TEAM SG DS1430