A new report from The Economic Times says that discussions are on at Volkswagen for the company to launch a new B-segment SUV codenamed VW216 in India. IAB understands that this secret SUV project is the production VW T-Cross that will debut internationally in 2018.
The Volkswagen Group has finally decided to localise the MQB platform in India. The company will use the smallest version of this modular platform, called ‘MQB A0’, to launch a series of models to challenge Hyundai and Maruti Suzuki. According to the report, the Volkswagen Group will invest €1 billion (approximately INR 7,600 crore) in the country. The company will set up a new manufacturing line at the Chakan plant and even build an engineering centre to locally develop products.
The Volkswagen Group will leverage the MQB A0 platform to launch a B-segment hatchback and a B-segment sedan from Skoda and Volkswagen brands. The new sedans will replace the VW Vento and Skoda Rapid, as per the report. It is safe to assume the new hatchback from Volkswagen will replace the VW Polo and the new hatchback from Skoda will arrive as the successor to the Skoda Fabia.
Also See: Production VW T-Cross (Hyundai Creta rival) makes spy photo debut
The VW T-Cross would compete with the Hyundai Creta. Previewed by the VW T-Cross Breeze concept, the VW T-Cross will arrive as a Renault Captur rival in Europe next year. It will likely have much in common with the sixth-gen VW Polo, including the engines, transmissions and equipment. The new B-SUV’s production will first commence at the Volkswagen Navarra plant in Spain, in January 2019. In India, the news report suggests that the launch may not take place before 2022.
[Source: The Economic Times]
