Pune, May 21, 2015
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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
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The new production milestone proves the progressive development of the state-of-the-art production facility of Volkswagen in Chakan, Pune
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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 500,000th 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 Lauenrothadded.
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 t h 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: 50,000th 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 100,000th export car was also produced
19 May 2015: 500,000th 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)
