Volkswagen India rolled out the 500,000^th car – a 103bhp Polo GT TSI with 7-speed DSG – from its Pune Plant in Chakan yesterday. 

Since its inauguration in March 2009, the Volkswagen Pune Plant has produced a total of 500,000 cars which include the Polo, Vento, Skoda Rapid and Skoda Fabia (till end-2013). The made-in-Chakan cars are produced for both the Indian domestic market as well as export markets (since 2011). Currently, Volkswagen cars are being exported in both right-hand drive as well as left-hand drive versions to over 32 countries across three continents of Asia, Africa and North America.

Commenting on the landmark rollout, Andreas Lauenroth, executive director – Technical, Volkswagen India commented, “We have successfully achieved a new production milestone. It is a matter of pride for us and it also mirrors the positive customer feedback for the cars produced in our Pune Plant. More than this – each one of the 500,000 cars produced is also an ambassador of the high capabilities of our workforce.”

VW India says all models produced at the plant have robust build quality contributed by unique production processes such as laser welding for roof, ultrasonic welding for trim as well as dash and hot stamped A- and B-pillars. Currently approximately 430 cars per day are being produced in a two-shift system at the plant, which provides employment to approximately 3,200 direct and indirect employees.

“A Volkswagen built anywhere in the world is of the same quality standards – be it in Europe, Asia, America or anywhere else. India is no exception to this and all the cars built by our highly skilled workforce at Pune Plant fulfil all the required quality standards of a Volkswagen. This enables us also to export our Indian built cars to over 32 countries across the globe,” Lauenroth added.

The Pune plant has a manufacturing capacity of 200,000 cars annually (in 3-shift system) and currently makes 130,000 cars annually (in 2-shift system).

 Volkswagen Pune Plant Milestones

March 2009:             Volkswagen Pune Plant inaugurated and first Fabia rolled out

December 2009:       Start of Polo production

August 2010:            Start of Vento production

December 2010:       Start of production for export to South Africa

July 2011:                100,000^th car rolls out of Pune Plant

October 2011:          Start of Rapid production

July 2012:                Start of production of left-hand drive cars

October 2013:          Start of export to Mexico

April 2014:               50,000^th export car rolled out of Volkswagen Pune Plant

December 2014:       With 111,444 units, the highest number of cars produced at Volkswagen Pune Plant within one year is achieved – in the same month the 100,000^th export car was also produced

19 May 2015:           500,000^th car rolls out of Pune Plant