Pune Volkswagen production up 17% in 2016

The Dollar Business Bureau

Volkswagen India on Monday announced that its vehicle production from the Pune plant reached a record 145,145 units in 2016.

The company’s total automobile production last year was led by its popular car Vento, with total production crossing 36,700 units.

Since 2009 the German car-maker has produced 720,000 units from its Pune plant. The plant’s incremental production stood at 17% in 2016.

Since 2010, this unit has so far produced 250,000 units for exports.

The Pune facility also has the distinction of having unveiled earlier the first made for India car - Ameo in 2016.  The facility manufactures brands such as Polo, Ameo, Vento and Skoda Rapid, and also undertakes the entire production process such as press shop and assembly.

Last year, Volkswagen India’s Pune plant manufactured 15,400 Ameo cars, 83,300 Vento cars and 9,600 Rapid cars. The company’s domestic production grew 12% to over 60,500 units from the plant. Meanwhile, exports of Polo and Vento stood at over 84,500 units, up 22% over the past year.

Expressing satisfaction on the company’s 2016 sales, Volkswagen India president and Managing Director Andreas Lauermann said, “2016 was the fourth year in a row that our Pune plant has recorded a growth in volume. Despite a challenging year, there was a surge in demand for our cars which was led by the Made-for- India and Made-in-India Ameo and the Vento.”

Volkswagen has invested over Rs.5,720 crore in its Pune plant so far. The plant has achieved a localisation level of around 82%.

Since the past 15 years, the Volkswagen Group India has been representing five passenger car brands -- Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche, Skoda, and Volkswagen.

Volkswagen’s Pune plant has an installed capacity of 200,000 units per year, and its Aurangabad plant has the capacity of 89,000 units annum.

The Pune plant rolls out Polo, Ameo and Vento and Skoda Rapid, while Aurangabad unit assembles premium and luxury models of Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen.

Globally, the Volkswagen Group represents 13 brands - Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Ducati, Lamborghini, Porsche, Scania, Seat, Skoda, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, MAN, Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Moia.