VW starts SUV Tiguan production at Aurangabad plant

The Dollar Business Bureau 

German automobile major Volkswagen on Wednesday said that the production has commenced on its forthcoming premium SUV Tiguan at the Skoda plant in Aurangabad (Maharashtra).

 Slated to be launched in India later this year, the Tiguan model will be available in a 2-litre diesel engine coupled with an automatic 7-speed gearbox. 

“The Tiguan will be our premium SUV offering for India and will cater to the unceasing demand in the segment. Our customers will now have an extended portfolio, ranging from hatchback to executive sedan, to meet their requirements at our showrooms,” said Michael Mayer, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, said in a statement. 

The premium SUV and the sedan Passat are the latest products of Volkswagen lined up to be launched this year. Volkswagen has already launched GTI – a performance-oriented hatchback. The company is seeking to set itself in India as an entire range ‘accessible premium car brand’. 

The Tiguan model was first displayed at the Delhi Auto Expo held last year. Tiguan will compete with models like Fortuner (by Toyota) and Endeavour (by Ford) which comes in the price range of Rs.25 lakh to Rs.32 lakh.  

The company is likely to start bookings for Tiguan in April and launch the model in May.  

The success of the Tiguan model will be vital for the German automaker, which has been hit hard by the 'emissions scandal.' And the losses due to penalties and compensations have been massive. So the company is actively looking at emerging markets like India and China.