VW Group India holds groundbreaking ceremony for Regional Parts Distribution Centre in Bhiwandi

Mumbai, November 22, 2012: Volkswagen Group India has performed the groundbreaking ceremony in Bhiwandi, Thane for its Regional Parts Distribution Centre (RDC) under its Depot Network Development Project (DNDP). The facility, which covers 21,000 square metres, will supply parts to dealerships in the Western, Southern and Eastern regions that account for 60-65 percent of the genuine parts sales for the Group in India.

The RDC is strategically located in Bhiwandi (Greater Mumbai) on National Highway 3 and will significantly contribute in the reduction of the current lead time to provide genuine parts to dealers and service centres. This is the second depot by the Group in India under its DNDP and being centrally located facilitates easy access to the Nava Sheva port and key cities like Mumbai and Pune.

Gerry Dorizas, MD, Volkswagen Group Sales India, said: “Volkswagen Group India recognises the importance of an extensive dealer network towards scripting a long-term success story. The Group has decided to strengthen the current aftersales services by forming the Regional Parts Distribution Centre in Bhiwandi and further strengthen the relationship that we share with our Indian customers. The RDC is expected to start operations in the first quarter of 2014.”

The Regional Parts Distribution Centre (RDC) will run on state-of-the-art software called ET2000 that has been specially designed for Volkswagen Group India. The building and processes have been designed in line with Volkswagen global standards. The facility will have a lean team of Volkswagen personnel who will manage operations with a third party logistics service provider.

Dietmar Hildebrandt, Director Group Service, Volkswagen Group Sales India said, “The RDC will deliver on maximum demand for genuine parts within 24 hours to the Volkswagen Group brands dealer network in the Western region and 72 hours for Group brands dealer network in the Southern region with focus on customer satisfaction. We are also planning to incorporate Porsche and Lamborghini parts under the umbrella of Group Service to cater to pan-India dealer demands.”

Photograph (L-R): Stefan Koethe, project lead, Volkswagen AG, Ankush Mehta, project lead, Volkswagen Group Sales India, Dietmar Hildebrandt, director, Group Service, Milan Plucar, head of parts operation, and Mayur Suchak, MD, Renaissance Infrastructure.