India-made Volkswagen Vento is Mexico's third-largest selling car!
What's the story
German automaker Volkswagen's India unit has achieved yet another milestone after starting exports to Mexico in 2013.
'Made in India' Volkswagen Vento has become the third-largest selling passenger car in Mexico.
At 2,10,000 units, Vento currently makes up the majority of car exports by Volkswagen India to the North American country.
Vento, built at Volkswagen's Pune Plant, replaced the carmaker's Jetta Classico in Mexico.
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Volkswagen India President & MD Andreas Lauermann's statement
"The growing popularity of India-made Volkswagen cars in markets like Mexico and others lays testament to our strong focus on quality products across all our manufacturing investments worldwide - in line with our think global, build local philosophy!"
Exports
Volkswagen exported maximum number of cars in Q1
Volkswagen India has exported the highest number of cars in the first quarter of the current financial year compared to other auto players like Nissan and Maruti Suzuki.
Lesser labor and other production-related costs in India are one of the reasons that attract carmakers to make the country their export base.
Industry experts say similar factors contributed to Volkswagen India's high export numbers.
Information
Volkswagen, Tata Motors unlikely to end in collaboration
Meanwhile, reports say the possible partnership between Volkswagen and Tata Motors has hit a dead-end. Volkswagen was looking to cut the production cost in India by sharing the platform with local companies. However, it is now focusing on building its own platform in the country.
Pune Plant
Volkswagen India exports cars to over 35 countries
Volkswagen ships cars from India to more than 35 countries across continents North America, South America, Africa, and Asia.
It exported over 3,10,000 units to these countries so far; more than half of them were produced at the Pune plant.
The German carmaker invested over €825 million (roughly Rs. 6,000cr) in the Pune plant, where there are about 4,000 employees.
Mexico
Volkswagen India's exports to Mexico
Volkswagen India, which established its production plant in 2009, began car exports to Mexico in 2013.
Its exports to Mexico include Indian-made left-hand Vento and Polo cars.
Vento became a huge hit in Mexico because of its design, highest safety standards, robust build, comfort, and space.
In 2015, Volkswagen India crossed 1,00,000 exports to Mexico; within two years it crossed 2,50,000 exports in 2017.
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We look forward to more successes from India: Lauermann
"India on its part has offered Volkswagen a rich mix of strong local market opportunity combined with manufacturing prowess that helps us serve the world with cars that are German in their soul and local in their flavor. We continue to invest in this opportunity."