Visitors to Volkswagen India’s Pune plant cross the 50,000 mark

Almost four-and-a-half years since the Visitor Services programme started at Volkswagen India’s Pune Plant, the carmaker saw its 50,000^th visitor take a tour of the manufacturing facility.

Rounding off this milestone was a group of students and co-ordinators from the NGO Sparsh Balgram, an NGO working towards the welfare of HIV/AIDS infected children.

Sparsh Balgram visited Volkswagen Pune Plant with its 14 children and two co-ordinators today and got detailed insights on how the company manufactures world-class cars in India. “What we experienced today was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was a thrilling experience for us to see how the cars that we see every day on the road are really built. To get so close to the robots and see them operating was the highlight of the tour!” said one of the children visiting the plant. Mahesh Yadav, co-ordinator from Sparsh Balgram, said, “The name Volkswagen always brings to mind German engineering. To be able to witness it first-hand was really a memorable experience.” 

Established in September 2011, Visitor Services at Volkswagen Pune Plant has been focussing on showcasing how German engineering is made in India. Through this activity, the company offers an opportunity to witness production of cars at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune.

The plant tours conducted under this programme start with a short company presentation followed by a walk through the Body Shop and Assembly. The visitors are also given information about the Press Shop and an illustrated overview of the Paint Shop. In the Body Shop, the visitors get a chance to witness key processes like Laser Welding and Inline Measurement Systems, whereas the highlights in Assembly include Cockpit assembly and the Engine-Chassis Marriage. Based on the target audience, tailor-made plant visits have also been designed.

The 50,000 visitors who have taken a tour of the Volkswagen Pune Plant include a wide range of people – from school to university students and customers to global delegates. The Pune Plant has witnessed enthusiasts from across the country and sometimes even from abroad. Volkswagen employees’ families also get special spots for seeing the work place where their family member works. On an average, two plant visits are conducted every working day and each group of visitors can have the plant visit with the plant tour guide giving information in Marathi, Hindi, English or German.

A Volkswagen Pune Plant Tour can be booked at http://www.volkswagen.co.in/en/volkswagen_world/request-a-plant-tour.html