[Aditya]

Volkswagen India has added a third production shift at its manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune. The company plans to start rolling out cars round the clock. This step has been taken as it expects demand from the export and domestic market to rise. Volkswagen believes that the upcoming Ameo compact sedan will drive high volumes.



The company claims that around 800 new jobs have already been created while implementing the third shift, with more hiring in the pipeline.

The first car had rolled out of the Chakan manufacturing facility in March 2009. The plant has a capacity of 1,30,000 cars. In 2015, 1,23,456 cars were produced in a two-shift system. In 2016, Volkswagen expects to increase its production by around 15% compared to 2015.



Volkswagen currently manufactures the Polo, Vento and Skoda Rapid at the Chakan plant. The 1.5-litre TDI engine is also assembled at this plant. Later this year, the Ameo will be added to the production portfolio on the same line. The company has invested approximately Euro 800 million (Rs. 6,000 crore) at the plant so far and employs over 4,000 people.

[Rajeevraj]

Good to see the increased focus on manufacturing here. Even if the domestic sales are not great, the exports seem to on an upswing and the job creation and value addition will help.

VW seems to have a confidence on the Ameo that borders on bizarre for me. The general sentiment across the board in the media and public is that it is a case of too little, too late. VW seems to believe they have a blockbuster on their hands. Either they are not willing to remove the blinkers and accept the reality or they have the data to indicate at least a moderate success.

For VW's sake, hope it is the latter.

[Amit_breakfree]

With the Ameo compact sedan coming in, along with POLO GTI, the sales are expected to increase. The company has also been testing the Golf from sometime in India, and it's high time that they launch it in the country. I don;t know why Volkswagen is so lazy in launching new cars in India, it's like they are satisfied in being a minuscule player.

But with manufacturing being close to 1,23,000 and the capacity of 1,30,000, the addition of 1 more line was necessary as Ameo would at least be able to sell 25,000-30,000 in a year. Additionally it generates additional employment and a base for future expansion.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by Amit_breakfree

I don;t know why Volkswagen is so lazy in launching new cars in India, it's like they are satisfied in being a minuscule player.

When the group is in a big mess due to the diesel scandal where will they have the time to cater to the market here.
Inspite of that, good to see an Indian specific model- Ameo being given importance but it is of interest to see the market response to this car.

Having said that most cars that is of interest here ( Polo, Golf, compact C/Suv etc.) is due for the next Gen releases and it will trickle to India in 2018 and beyond. Until then we have to be satisfied with face-lifts that will be offered on the current vehicles.

[arnabchak]

Optimism to the core!!

Somehow reminded me of this picture:


Now, lets be realistic.

Ameo isnt going to set the charts on fire. Like Rajeev has correctly said, it borders on bizarre.

The shared parts are too similar to the Polo and I failed to see any USP of the Ameo from the pictures.

They have formidable competition in the segment and now, even from hot hatches.
Cars from Maruti has improved in fit and finsih over the years.

Same is the case with Hyundais and even Tatas.

Most of the models in the segment are doing better that all VWs sales put together.
Ameo and VW have a task on hand.

Honestly, I feel the increased shift is mainly focused on exports and nothing to do with our domestic market.

[Amit_breakfree]

Originally Posted by volkman10

When the group is in a big mess due to the diesel scandal where will they have the time to cater to the market here.
Inspite of that, good to see an Indian specific model- Ameo being given importance but is of interest to see how the market acceptance of this car will be.

Having said that most cars that is of interest here ( Polo, Golf, compact C/Suv etc.) is due for the next Gen releases and it will trickle to India in 2018 and beyond. Until then we have to be satisfied with face-lifts that will be offered on the current vehicles.

Agreed and point well taken. The company is in a mess and the U.S. government has sued them just yesterday for their 'Clean Diesel' campaign.

But I was referring to the overall slow movement of the company. Volkswagen entered in India in 2007, and since then they have launched only a handful of cars. Polo and Vento have been in almost same form (apart from periodic face-lifts) from last 7-8 years. That's a long product life-cycle for any car maker. I hope Ameo becomes a good seller and is able to give some competition to other compact sedans like Xcent, Zest, Amaze etc.