Sunday, December 13, 2009

VW aims to capture 10% of India’s car market

Volkswagen AG, Europe’s biggest carmaker, said it aims to capture as much as 10% of India’s car market in four to six years as it boosts sales in emerging-markets.
The Wolfsburg, Germany-based company will sell cars under three brands, including Skoda AS and Audi AG, to achieve its targets, it said in a statement in Chakan, near Pune.
Production of its Polo compact car began yesterday at the plant, which opened earlier this year. Volkswagen will start selling the cars in March, challenging partner Suzuki Motor Corporation, the maker of half of all cars sold in India.
“The Pune plant is a key element in Volkswagen’s strategy for India,” said Jochem Heizman, a member of the company’s management board. India’s car market holds “enormous potential” for the German carmaker, he said.