Volkswagen to set up design centre in Pune

‘Higher capacity, new models on anvil’

German auto major Volkswagen (VW) Group is planning to expand production capacity and set up a design centre in Chakan near Pune, said a top official.

“We are planning to increase production capacity [in the Pune plant] marginally, from 1.8 lakh units to 2 lakh units per annum,” said Steffen Knapp, director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars. “Besides, we will increase the localisation level, [from] 82% to about 90% in a year.”

Mr. Knapp said unveiling new models and having a regional celebrity as brand ambassador were other initiatives planned to pep up market share. VW would be investing ₹8,000 crore in phases in the design centre, development of new models and other activities, he said.

The group is targeting the number three slot in India by 2025 with 5% market share, from the current 1.8%, across brands.

For the Volkswagen brand, it is aiming to raise share to 3% in five years, Mr. Knapp said.

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