VW to launch a "slew of made-for-India cars" in the next 2 years - IAB Report

03/08/2015 - 20:27 | VW Polo, Volkswagen | Aravind Jayachandran

Includes a sub-4m sedan and a compact SUV.

Speaking on the company's increase in sales in July 2015, VW India's Director of Passenger cars, Michael Mayer, has mentioned that the company will launch India-specific products to strengthen its foothold in India.

2015 VW Vento facelift launched — VW India registered an 18% growth in the month of July 2016. One of the reasons is attributed to the successful launch of the New Vento.

Mr Meyer was quoted saying:

With a slew of exciting made-for-India products lined for the next two years and backed by an impressive sales performance for the sixth consecutive month, we are confident of further strengthening our position in the Indian market over the coming months.

This could be a reference to the sub-4m sedan that VW has confirmed for 2016. To be based on the VW Polo’s PQ25 platform, the sub-compact sedan (rumored to be called as the VW Bora) is expected to be revealed at the 2016 Auto Expo in February, and will be manufactured at VW's plant in Chakan, Pune, at high localization levels.

IAB render VW sub-4m Vento — Likely to be based on the VW Polo’s PQ25 platform, the sub-compact sedan is rumored to be called as the VW Bora.

Given that VW showcased the sub-compact VW Taigun crossover at the 2014 Auto Expo, VW India could also announce a "made-for-India" compact SUV. In May, however, VW India denounced rumors that the Taigun will go into production as a sub-4m offering to rival the Ford Ecosport.

Yet there are reports claiming that VW is working on a compact SUV, which could be a shade above 4 meters and slot under the VW Tiguan. If so, it could be the German brand's answer to products like the Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster in the compact SUV segment.

VW T-ROC Concept front three quarters right at Geneva Motor Show — The compact SUV, the company has expressed interest in introducing, could draw design cues from the VW T-ROC concept.

Also Read: 2016 VW Tiguan could look like a “baby VW Touareg”

So far, VW India has confirmed that five new products are launching in the next 24 months, four of which include the second generation 2016 VW Tiguan, 2015 VW Passat (B8), VW Beetle, and the sub-4m sedan.