August 6, 2013: Volkswagen India set a new production landmark at its Pune plant on August 5 when the 300,000th car – a left-hand-drive Vento export model – rolled out. The big number has arrived after a little over four years when the 130,000 units per annum capacity plant rolled out its first car in May 2009.

The 300,000th unit is headed for the AGCC (Arab Gulf Cooperation Council) market. Volkswagen India, which manufactures the Polo and Vento and Skoda Fabia and Rapid, currently exports its cars to over 30 countries across two continents – Asia and Africa.

Commenting on the achievement, Andreas Lauenroth, executive director technical, Volkswagen India, said: “It is a double celebration for Volkswagen India. We have achieved a new milestone with 300,000 cars being produced at our Pune facility. Also, the Vento is a left-hand-drive car for export which highlights the acceptance of an Indian product worldwide.”

Mahesh Kodumudi, president and managing director, Volkswagen India, said, “The Vento in itself is a milestone for Volkswagen in India. Though it was a car designed and built for India, it got wide acceptance in the international market as well and slowly grew to reach even the left-hand drive markets.

Between April-June 2013, Volkswagen India has sold a total of 15,038 cars and currently has a market share of 3.46 percent.

The Volkswagen Group is represented by five brands in India: Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche, Škoda, and Volkswagen. The Volkswagen Group has been present in India for the last 12 years and began its India journey with the entry of the Škoda brand in 2001, Audi and Volkswagen brands in 2007, and the Porsche and Lamborghini brands in 2012. Volkswagen Group India has over 25 models in India and 262 dealerships and operates through two plants – Pune (130,000 units capacity) which manufactures the Polo and Vento and Aurangabad (89,000 units capacity) which produces the Skoda Fabia and Rapid.