Volkswagen India sets New Production Landmark; 500,000th Car Rolls out of its Pune Plant in Chakan

• The half millionth car rolling out of the Pune Plant was a red Polo GT TSI and caters to the increasing demand of Volkswagen cars in the domestic market

• The new production milestone proves the progressive development of the state-of-the-art production facility of Volkswagen in Chakan, Pune

• High production volumes are being strongly driven through the rising demands from the exports to over 32 countries across three continents too

Volkswagen India rolled out the 500,000^th car from its Pune Plant in Chakan yesterday. With that, the state-of-the-art production facility has not only achieved another milestone, but has once again underlined the worldwide rising demand of ‘German Engineering, Made in India by Volkswagen’. The celebratory car was a powerful, 105 PS Polo GT TSI with 7-speed DSG for the Indian market.

Since its inauguration in March 2009, Volkswagen Pune Plant has produced a total of 500,000 cars which include Volkswagen Polo, Volkswagen Vento, Skoda Rapid and Skoda Fabia (till end of 2013). The cars rolling out of the plant are catering to the Indian domestic market as well as export markets (since 2011). Currently, the Volkswagen cars are being exported in both right-hand drive as well as left-hand drive versions to over 32 countries across three continents of Asia, Africa and North America.

Mr. Andreas Lauenroth, Executive Director – Technical, Volkswagen India Private Limited commented, “We have successfully achieved a new production milestone. It is a matter of pride for us and it also mirrors the positive customer feedback for the cars produced in our Pune Plant. More than this – each one of the 500,000 cars produced is also an ambassador of the high capabilities of our workforce. I would like to congratulate entire team of Volkswagen India on this historic achievement.”

All models produced at Volkswagen Pune Plant stand for German engineering with robust build quality contributed by unique production processes such as laser welding for roof, ultrasonic welding for trim as well as dash and hot stamped A- and B-pillars. Currently approximately 430 cars per day are being produced in a two-shift system at Pune Plant, which provides employment to approximately 3,200 direct and indirect employees.

“A Volkswagen built anywhere in the world is of the same quality standards – be it in Europe, Asia, America or anywhere else. India is no exception to this and all the cars built by our highly skilled workforce at Pune Plant fulfil all the required quality standards of a Volkswagen. This enables us also to export our Indian built cars to over 32 countries across the globe. We will continue to focus on highest built quality to cater the demand from all our markets – the domestic and the export markets”, Mr. Andreas Lauenroth added.

Volkswagen Pune Plant Chronicles

March 2009:             Volkswagen Pune Plant inaugurated and first Fabia rolled out

December 2009:       Start of Polo production

August 2010:            Start of Vento production

December 2010:       Start of production for export to South Africa

July 2011:                 100,000^th car rolls out of Pune Plant

October 2011:          Start of Rapid production

July 2012:                 Start of production of left-hand drive cars

October 2013:          Start of export to Mexico

April 2014:               50,000^th export car rolled out of Volkswagen Pune Plant

December 2014:       With 111,444 units, the highest number of cars produced at Volkswagen Pune Plant within one year is achieved – in the same month the 100,000^th export car was also produced

19 May 2015:           500,000^th car rolls out of Pune Plant

Facts & figures of Volkswagen Pune Plant

Area:                          220 Hectares (572 Acres)

Shops:                         Body Shop, Paint Shop & Assembly

Capacity:                    200,000 cars annually (in 3-shift system)

                                    Currently 130,000 cars annually (in 2-shift system)

Cars produced:         Volkswagen Polo, Volkswagen Vento and Skoda Rapid

Automation:               123 Robots contributing to 35% automation

Total Workforce:       ~3200 (Direct + Indirect)

About Volkswagen Group India: 

With its headquarters in Pune, Maharashtra, the Volkswagen Group is represented by five passenger car brands in India: Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche, ŠKODA, and Volkswagen. The Volkswagen Group has been present in India for the last 14 years and began its India journey with the entry of the ŠKODA brand in 2001. The Audi brand and Volkswagen brand entered India in 2007, while Porsche brand and Lamborghini brand followed in 2012. Each brand has its own character and operates as an independent entity in the market. Volkswagen Group India has over 25 models in India and over 240 dealerships and is operating through two plants – Pune and Aurangabad. The Pune Plant has a manufacturing capacity of 130,000 cars per year (in current two-shift system) and is currently manufacturing Volkswagen Polo and Vento and ŠKODA Rapid. The Aurangabad Plant caters to various premium and luxury models of Audi, ŠKODA and Volkswagen sold in India and has an annual capacity of approximately 89,000. Volkswagen Group India is a part of Volkswagen AG, which is globally represented by 12 brands - Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Ducati, Lamborghini, Porsche, Scania, SEAT, ŠKODA, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge), MAN and Volkswagen Passenger Cars.