Volkswagen India, a division of the Volkswagen Group, began its journey in India in 2007, focusing on bringing German engineering to the Indian market. Headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, it operates under the umbrella of Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited, which was formed through the merger of Volkswagen India Private Limited, Škoda Auto India Private Limited, and Volkswagen Group Sales India Private Limited.

The company’s business strategy in India has evolved over the years. Initially, it introduced models like the Passat, Jetta, and Beetle, catering to a niche market seeking premium German engineering. Over time, Volkswagen has focused on increasing localization and developing products tailored to the Indian consumer’s preferences and price sensitivity. The “India 2.0” project marked a significant shift, emphasizing the use of the MQB A0 IN platform to engineer and manufacture vehicles in India with a high degree of localization (up to 95%). This strategy led to the introduction of models like the Taigun SUV and the Virtus sedan, which have seen more success in the competitive Indian market.

Volkswagen India operates a manufacturing plant in Chakan, Pune, with an annual production capacity of up to 200,000 vehicles. This facility handles the entire production process, from the press shop to final assembly. The company’s product portfolio currently includes the Virtus sedan and the Taigun and Tiguan R-Line SUVs. They are also expected to launch the Golf GTI and Tera SUV in the near future.