Volkswagen Group India to start export of the Left Hand Drive Vento from second half of 2012. 200,000th car marks another production landmark for the Volkswagen plant in Chakan.

Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for the Volkswagen Brand with responsibility for Research and Development: “The success of the Vento in a competitive market like India makes us confident that this product would be well accepted in other markets with similar needs.”

Dr. John Chacko, Volkswagen Group Chief Representative India & President and Managing Director, Volkswagen India Private Limited: “Our export of the Vento to South Africa confirms that we are able to produce high quality cars in India at competitive costs. This shows our potential to further extend our export to new markets in the Middle East and African countries.”
Pune, July 9, 2012: Volkswagen Group India started the production of the Left Hand.

Drive version of the Vento model for export to Middle East and African Countries. The first Left Hand Drive car, a white Vento is also the 200,000th car produced at the Chakan plant. The export is planned to start from the second half of 2012. The first Left Hand Drive Vento was rolled out in the presence of Dr. Hackenberg and Dr. Chacko at the final quality check point of the plant, the CP8.

Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg said, “The Vento is an Indian car designed and built for Indian customers. The success of the Vento in a competitive market like India makes us confident that this product would be well accepted in other markets with similar needs. We are confident of repeating this success of our Vento in new export markets.” The Vento is being successfully exported to South Africa since last year. Dr. John Chacko: “Our export of the Vento to South Africa confirms that we are able to produce high quality cars in India at competitive costs. This shows our potential to further extend our export to new markets in the Middle East and African countries.”

Describing the strategy of the Volkswagen Group India he further added: “Our focus is clear on the Indian market; however export is one tool to face volatilities in the automotive market and currency.”