Volkswagen adds third production shift at its Pune plant

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.