Volkswagen setting up car plant in Pune as sales boom

06 October 2008

Mumbai: German auto major Volkswagen is setting up a major car manufacturing facility in Pune, Christian Wulff, the minister-president (chief minister) of the German state of Lower Saxony, said.

Volkswagen's US facility, meanwhile, is planning a road tour of its hydrogen fuel cell car, the HyMotion Tiguan. The German auto major hopes to emerge the world's number one car maker in the next ten years.

Germany was keen to develop an international exhibition ground in Mumbai for hosting trade fairs, adding that his state plans to open a separate office to facilitate business with Maharashtra, Wulff told state governor S C Jamir at Raj Bhavan.

Wulff, who is leading a 100-strong business delegation to India, said Volkswagen aims to leverage the Indian market in its bid to expand its global market share.

Wulff said a German unversity is opening a branch in Pune and wanted to attract Indian students. Jamir, however, told the German minister that the state had abundant skilled human resources and assured him that the state will make every effort to provide favourable atmosphere for investors coming to Maharashtra. 

Lower Saxony, Wulff said, is building one of the biggest ports in Germany and added that his state would welcome Indian investments in the state.