VW to expand model offerings in India

German automaker Volkswagen (VW) is a year ahead of schedule with its plans to start production at its plant at Chakan near Pune, India. VW will invest Rs3,500 crore (US$812.5 million) in the plant, which will have a capacity to build 110,000 units a year. The first vehicle to be made at the plant will be an all-new model based on the next-generation Polo, which is specifically designed for emerging markets. VW’s Skoda brand will produce the Fabia at Chakan from 2009 onwards. VW plans to first launch the Passat and then the Jetta and Tiguan, followed by Phaeton and Taureg. It also plans to import the Sciroco in limited numbers. (June 30, 2008)