Volkswagen exports 250,000th ‘Made in India’ car to Mexico

Volkswagen India, crossed another milestone when it exported its 250,000th India-made car to Mexico yesterday. The current range of cars being exported includes domestically-manufactured left hand drive Polo and Vento cars, with the latter witnessing high demand in the geography resulting in a steep incline in exports over the years. 

The made-in-India Vento has become the third highest selling car in the entire passenger car market in Mexico and currently adds to the bulk of car exports by Volkswagen to this country at 2,10,000 unit. The Vento replaced the Jetta Classico in the Mexican market. 

In total, Volkswagen India exports to over 35 countries across four continents of North America, South America, Africa and Asia and has shipped more than 310,000 cars till date. The latest shipment to Mexico to be delivered by Höegh Trigger, the largest vessel of Höegh Autoliners which is also the world’s largest pure car and truck carrier. 

In 2013, the company started exports to Mexico with its Vento model, within four years of establishing its production plant in the country in 2009. Currently, the Volkswagen plant in Pune contributes half of the total production for exports to Mexico. 

Commenting on the exports, Dr. Andreas Lauermann, president and MD, Volkswagen India, said “India on its part, has offered Volkswagen a rich mix of strong local market opportunity combined with manufacturing prowess that helps us serve the world with cars that are German in their soul and local in their flavour.” 

The Volkswagen Pune Plant has so far attracted an investment of over € 825 million (₨ 5,720 crore). The plant has a localisation level of approximately 82 percent (without engines and transmissions). With a workforce of 4000 employees, the plant has been operating in three shifts since March 2016.