[Bhodrolok]

The Polo GTI in CBU/CKD does not make sense but having a Golf would be game changing especially with the Octavia no longer being available in the market.

[buzzy_boy]

Meanwhile at Honda India:

Marketing dude: Sir, we should launch the Civic Type R..I think there's a real market for a performance sedan that sits just below the M340i.

Business head: Alok, that's a bold and imaginative idea, well done! However, such ideas are against company policy. So, we'll not launch!

[Asoon]

GTI will have Zero impact on the brand,
Instead of focusing on the superficial products, VW/SKODA need to work on the basics. After a long boring decade, they have a good product lineup (2 CSUV, 2 Sedans) and they should focus on making it successful instead of selling 100 / 200 units.

In-fact they should evaluate new new Polo or Fabia (there is no successor to old polo / punto | good hatch is a complete whitespace), there is big gap between Kushaq and Kodiaq (again a booming segment in India)

Renault was built on Duster, VW on Polo, Ford on Fiesta / Figo (gen 1), Kia on Seltos, they need products which can do 4/5K monthly to survive

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by Asoon

---
In-fact they should evaluate new new Polo or Fabia (there is no successor to old polo / punto | good hatch is a complete whitespace), there is big gap between Kushaq and Kodiaq (again a booming segment in India)

--

VW India has declared it will go premium. Virtus likely to be the entry level car from them.



Link: (Volkswagen Brand Conference, 2024)

[LionX]

Originally Posted by Bhodrolok

The Polo GTI in CBU/CKD does not make sense but having a Golf would be game changing.

Exactly, Polo GTI doesn’t make any sense at all for Indian market. Instead they should bring regular Golf and use the engine and gearbox options from Virtus.

1.0 TSI engine with 6 speed AT/MT for regular Golf models and 1.5 TSI with DSG gearbox as ‘Golf GT’ just for Indian market. VW should be able to market Golf as ‘bigger Polo’ or something.

[BrakHorseBarhat]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Volkswagen will bring in the GTI as a full import – which will attract maximum duties – in batches limited to around 200 units.

I don't think we can expect Polo or any other hatchback from VW this year because I have enquired at multiple showrooms regarding the possibility of a polo but always got a negative response.
This is especially true of golf since the import duties would make it so expensive that it would not make sense in India, which is rather unfortunate.

However, I have heard that we might sign a treaty with Switzerland and some other countries regarding car imports which might significantly reduce the import taxes. If such a treaty is signed with countries like Germany then India might become an automotive haven.

Lets keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.

[84.monsoon]

Originally Posted by BrakHorseBarhat

This is especially true of golf since the import duties would make it so expensive that it would not make sense in India, which is rather unfortunate.

Valid reasoning, but this has not held Skoda back from launching the Superb in the CBU form today, at Rs. 55 lakhs ex-showroom. Imagine a 70 lakh on-road Skoda car, that too one that is at the end of its lifecycle and discontinued in most other countries as the new generation is under production.