Volkswagen starts pre-series production of Polo at Pune

Pune: Volkswagen India today said it has comenced the pre-series production of its mid-segment model, the new Polo at its plant at Chakan, near Pune following the flagging off of the first welded body of the car by the new minister for economics, labour and transportation of the German Federal State of Lower Saxony, Dr. Philipp Rösler.

The first finished body of the Polo,  part of a a pre-run to the official production of the Polo, was inspected on the way to the paint shop by Dr Rösler, who  is also member of the supervisory board of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft.

Jörg Müller, president and managing director of Volkswagen Group India, said, ''This event today marks the next successful step on the entire effort of the team. With the first body of the Polo taking shape today, we are well on our way to fulfilling our commitment.''

Volksagen plans to commence commercial production by the end of this financial year from the new Chakan plant, which was inaugurated on 31 March, this year - a year ahead of schedule.

The Pune plant will begin producing the group's compact car Skoda Fabia, currently being made at Aurangabad, in May 2009 and the hatchback version of the Volkswagen Polo, specially developed for the Indian market,  from 2010.

"The Volkswagen plant here in Pune is a true example of German excellence meeting Indian spirit and I would like to congratulate the management on the commendable initiative,'' Dr. Rösler said.

The facility has a maximum annual production capacity of 110,000 vehicles, for delivery to the Indian market.

The company said the Pune plant was the largest investment to date by a German company in the country, with a total financial commitment in India amounting to 580 million euros (Rs3,800 crore).