Volkswagen India rolls-out the 100,000th car from Chakan

Volkswagen today rolled out the 100,000th car from its Chakan plant in Pune. Production started in May 2009 with the Skoda Fabia followed by the Polo, Vento and the Fabia facelift. Next year a car smaller than Polo alongside the Skoda Rapid are likely to be made in Chakan.

Skoda and VW brand models are manufactured at Chakan. Assembly of Jetta, Laura, Passat, Superb and Yeti take place at another VW Group plant in Aurangabad.

The Chakan plant can manufacture 130,000 cars in a year at full capacity and it was constructed in just 17 months (private residences have taken longer to come up) with an investment commitment of 3,800 crore rupees. The investment is the largest to date by a German company in India.

IAB visited the squeaky-clean VW plant in August 2010 and met with German officials who said a small R&D team was working on improving every aspect of the Indian Polo.

Press Release

• 100,000th car was rolled out of the Chakan plant in the presence of the chief guest Ms. Supriya Sule, Honorable Member of the Parliament

• Dr. John Chacko, Volkswagen Group Chief Representative India and President & Managing Director, Volkswagen India Private Limited, announced that the company achieved this milestone in a short span of time

Pune, July 08, 2011 – Volkswagen India Private Limited celebrated the roll-out of the 100,000th car at its manufacturing plant in Chakan, Pune in the presence of Ms. Supriya Sule, Honorable Member of the Parliament, Dr. John Chacko, Volkswagen Group Chief Representative India and President & Managing Director, Volkswagen India Private Limited and Mr. Holger Nestler, Executive Director, Technical, Volkswagen India Private Limited. Mr. Dilip Mohite Patil, Honorable Member of the Legislative Assembly, Khed and Mr. Vilas Lande Honorable Member of Legislative Assembly, Bhosari graced the occasion with their presence.

This remarkable figure of 100,000th car has been achieved in 2 years from the start of production in May 2009 reiterating the fact that production at the greenfield plant is on schedule. The 100,000th car was rolled out in the presence of honorable Members of Parliament, media, suppliers, members of the Board of Directors and other employees. This milestone for Volkswagen India was celebrated with a ceremony as the 100,000th car, a Volkswagen Vento rolled out from the final check point at the plant. The 100,000th car was rolled out within five months of the roll out of the 50,000th car from the Volkswagen plant. The Chakan plant currently produces the Volkswagen Polo, the Volkswagen Vento and the Skoda Fabia.

“Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Supriya Sule said, “I would like to congratulate Volkswagen India for the roll out of the 100,000th car from their Chakan plant. I draw satisfaction that our government policies have been able to attract auto majors which helped in making Maharashtra a vibrant auto destination. This also provides ample employment opportunities. It is a pleasure for me to be here and witness the roll out of the 100,000th car from the Volkswagen plant in India.”

Dr. Chacko said, “We are honored to have rolled-out our 100,000th car in the presence of Ms. Supriya Sule, Member of the Parliament of India. This would not have been possible without the continuous support of our suppliers, distributors, partners and employees. This accomplishment of 100,000 cars production is a testimony of customers’ confidence in our people, technology, and design innovations. It is indeed a moment of pride and satisfaction for all of us at Volkswagen on achieving this milestone in such a short span of time. This milestone reflects our long-standing vision on developing advanced technologies in the automobile industry.”

“We inaugurated the plant in March 2009 and our India journey since then has been exciting and enriching. I would like to thank our strong team of committed and experienced employees for their relentless efforts in achieving the completion of 100,000 cars in such a short time period. With this remarkable figure, we have proved that the cars built at the Pune plant demonstrates the excellence created when German engineering prowess interacts perfectly with Indian skills.” expressed Mr. Nestler.

The Pune plant, with a capacity of 130,000 cars, is one of the most modern in the Volkswagen Group which globally has 62 plants. It covers all stages in the production process from press shop through body shop and paint shop to final assembly. The plant was built in a record time of 17 months, with an investment commitment of INR 3,800 Crores (580 million Euros) by Volkswagen India Private Limited. It is the largest investment to date by a German company in India. With the investment coupled with the vertical integration of suppliers and the employment of people, Volkswagen India demonstrates its commitment to the site.