Mumbai: Europe''s largest automobile manufacturer, Volkswagen, organised its first suppliers'' conference on 7 June, 2007, in Mumbai for 250 Indian and foreign suppliers to brief them about the manufacturing plans of its new plant at Chakan Industrial Park on the outskirts of Pune.

The €410-million Chakan plant is slated to commence producing up to 110,000 vehicles a year from the end of 2009.

Joerg Mueller, president, Volkswagen India Private Limited, said, "Our objective is to establish Volkswagen as a local manufacturer and a long-term business partner in India."

Mueller emphasised that a significant share of the material required would come from local suppliers. The company says the new plant will create about 2,500 new jobs.

The company has sited a full production plant with a press shop, body shop, paint shop and assembly lines at a 230- hectare site.

"We will start our sourcing activities soon to find the potential partners for Volkswagen in India with local as well as global perspectives," said Pierre Bruedgam, executive director, procurement, Volkswagen India Private Limited.