[GTO]

A BHPian drops the following PM:

Hi GTO,

Reading some of the posts and listening to some of the people who are interested in booking a Polo, everyone is getting the reply "No Polos available and we are not taking any bookings right now". Did VW pull the plug on the Polo? Would you have any information?

Thanks

At the same time, I got another email from Vipin:

Hi Team,

I was in search of a Volkswagen Polo and called up a few dealers. All of them said a new Polo is incoming by Q4 2021 or Q1 2022.

No messages or email proof - everything was verbal. The conversation was with both, Kerala and Bangalore showrooms.

Regards

A Team-BHP fan

[tanbeamer]

I think this has got to do more with the chip shortage that has been troubling most of the manufacturers off late. I would be rather surprised if Volkswagen actually decides to bring in the next generation Polo to our market.

[Dead_Pedal]

Possibly a hatch version of the Virtus to replace the veteran Polo? Now, I'm curious too. I'll go check out what's cooking at a VW showroom near me.

[Octy17]

Coincidentally I had dropped down to one of the Volkswagen showrooms in Bangalore earlier today and I asked the sales guy about the Polo since there were no Polo's on display.
He replied saying that there is a major update coming in a few months. Another facelift or a special edition is something time can only tell. The long waiting list is because of the chip shortage and Volkswagen do not have plans to discontinue the Polo anytime soon.

[GaryTSI]

I visited the VW dealership up here in Gurgaon to go for a Test Drive of the New Taigun last month and out of curiosity (and a bit of nervousness because we bought a Polo TSI last year and I thought it went out of production already resulting in higher ownership costs etc.).

So I asked the Sales Executives that why weren't there any Ventos and Polos in the Showrooms and only the Taiguns and one T-Roc for display and he responded that VW has temporarily halted the production for Vento and Polo for a brief moment to make way and keep up with the Taigun production due to the number of bookings and orders in comparison to the older twins, I expect VW to start selling them within a month or two once the Taigun hype slows down a bit more.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Personal feeling (unsubstantiated - so take it for what its worth) is that the old generation VW products are finally getting ready to be discontinued. Polo and it's derivates (Vento, Rapid etc) are in it's 12th year run and it's about time someone pulled the plug.

Now, two obvious questions against this theory -

1. But they just launched the Matte edition.
2. But Zac Hollis says Slavia will be 'more premium' than the Rapid, so shouldn't both co-exist?

I feel the answer to both questions is that the company is wisely selling out the remaining stock on a high, without discounts. Credit where due - selling a 12 year old product in it's highest variants without much of a discount is an achievement in itself. Wouldn't be having the same demand if Slavia had been unveiled as a Rapid replacement.

Go to a Skoda or Volkswagen showroom and ask any of the entry level cars - and you won't be entertained. Chip shortage, sir! Money making variants are definitely getting priorities - especially the new crossover cousins.

Virtus/ Slavia is the Polo sedan once again and is likely to be positioned below the TCross/Taigun/Kushaq's starting price of 10.5 lakhs as per it's international positioning, which means it can only be a direct replacement to the Rapid (which we all remember for it's 7.49L starting price, but currently starts at 9.99L with the Rider and Rider Plus variants long discontinued).

With the sedans moved over to MQB-A0-IN, will the hatchback alone continue production too long? Remains to be seen. Interestingly - A Skoda Kushaq owner was greeted by a new VW Polo infographic on his infotainment system. So at least the infotainment is India-ready for the 6th gen Polo.


Source

[shancz]

Agree on Polo's age, about time they discontinued the older platforms. Maybe the chip shortage has them prioritising the newer, more profitable cars(I guess).

As CrazyDriver pointed that the Rapid is a 10+ lakh car and the 7.49 was a cost effective publicity stunt.
And so was the matte edition, tugging at the hearts of buyers to make them feel special and forego any discounts, nice move from business point of view.

I too don't see any of the older platforms continuing further Rapid/Vento to be replaced with Slavia, expecting similar with the Polo.
Similar to what MSIL is doing with its migration to Heartect and K-Series.
Makes perfect sense to have a common and modern platform for rapid implementation of any future requirements be it emission, safety or powertrain.

[Rshrey22]

Just saw this ad while I was going through my insta. All the polos might be undergoing a new kind of paintjob

[Gannu_1]

I concur with CD’s thoughts.

On one hand, the VW-Skoda group isn’t interested in bringing the Polo, Fabia, Scala etc. with the country’s current laws and the taxation regime for cars > 4 m length. During multiple interactions with the seniors of the management during our test drive events, this was evident.

Plus, the crossover segment is the most happening segment in the country right now. Almost all manufacturers have multiple cars in this segment and is fighting tooth and nail for the sales. Even customers are inclined towards crossovers than low-slung sedans or hatchbacks.

The Polo, Vento and Rapid has seen a good 12+ years in India with so many engines, transmissions and sticker jobs and, have sold in good numbers too. I will credit the group for giving us some of the best engines and keeping up with the competition. I’d reckon, an enthusiast would prefer the 1.0 TSI on the Polo to any other engine available in a hatch today and they are willing to let go a smoother customer care experience from a Maruti or Hyundai dealership. Not the best when it comes to creature comforts though.

I personally do not think the group will stop the sales of the Polo until 2022. It still sells and there’s no reason for the group to stop the sales right now. If I was in the market for a hatch, I’ll pick a 1.0 TSI AT comfortline with extended warranty. Call me a returning customer if you will.

[Guna]

High time they bring a sub 4 meter SUV to compete with the likes of Venue/Sonet. This is the most lucrative segment.

[nitkel]

To be brutally honest, the only update they should be doing is pulling the plug on these old gen cars. Don't think selling 2k cars (Polo/Vento/Rapid combined) per month at discounted prices is in any way profitable for VAG! Heck, in Pune even the Kushaq has discounts and they're running full page newspaper ads almost everyday announcing the same! Better focus on producing as many Taiguns as they can since it's the only product in demand!

[bullitt1]

Visited VW Mysore road showroom 2 weeks back to check Polo for a family member, only AT was available for test drive and was told that there is 4 month waiting and SA tried to push Taigun. No follow ups till now.

[tsi_niks1989]

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

If I was in the market for a hatch, I’ll pick a 1.0 TSI AT comfortline with extended warranty. Call me a returning customer if you will.

Exactly my thoughts, infact I suggested the comfortline AT to a friend of mine who was looking for an automatic within 10L in Pune. He got the car in one week and was given 4 months of waiting period for the GT variant. He is very happy with the purchase and is loving the drive (he upgraded from Grand i10).

[CarNerd]

If VW doesn't bring newer gen models, it will meet the same fate as Ford. If it can't spend money on newer products, it doesn't deserve to stay. It is very shameful that one of the largest car makers like VW & Toyota are acting like misers in India instead of spending money on developing proper cars with latest features.

[Madrasin_selvan]

A couple of weeks ago, I had gone to Check on the Polo GT while pitching on to exchange our current Polo 1.2 TDI. The Service advisor was pitching for the Taigun while he did mention that Polo would be discontinued soon enough and VW would concentrate only on segments above 10Lakhs. He went on to advise me to hold on to my diesel as it would fetch a much greater price a year down the line since it was a diesel.

I feel VW would take the stand of making cars at the price point above 10L. Although Tagiun carries the MQB-A0-IN Platform it does not necessarily mean they are going to tweak on that platform again to get a Sub 4m derivative.