Volkswagen marks five years of made-in-India exports

Volkswagen India is celebrating its five-year export journey in India with the shipment of over 185,000 cars made in India for global markets.

Exactly five years ago to the day, VW India’s first shipment to South Africa – its first single export market – from Volkswagen India reached its destination. Since then, the carmaker has expanded its shipments to over 35 countries across Asia, Africa, North America and South America. The carmaker began its export operations from India within two years of setting up its production plant in Pune in 2009.

In 2015, the company exported over 55% of its cars produced in Pune to over 35 countries across four continents while serving as the hub for parts and components to Malaysia. The range of cars being exported includes left-hand drive as well as right-hand drive Polo and Vento cars. Mexico has been the single largest export market for Volkswagen India where over 80% of the export volume was shipped in 2015.

Commenting on the export drive, Dr Andreas Lauermann, president and MD, Volkswagen India, said, “Volkswagen set up its Indian operations especially for the domestic Indian market and we still continue to focus primarily on our local customers and their demands. However, with fluctuations in the domestic demand and the currency exchange, it became necessary for us to establish a second strong leg of our operations here in India. Since a Volkswagen made anywhere in the world follows the same quality and engineering standards, we were able to impress several export markets and create a demand there with our cars built in India. The acceptance and rising demand from a variety of markets and consumers from Asia to America stands a testimony to the global standards and state-of-the-art manufacturing that we undertake here at the Pune Plant.”