Back in 2008, the German car maker Volkswagen, which currently owns Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Skoda, took cognisance of the discouraging fact that the entity was actually a stranger in India. Moreover, the Volkswagen cars were not paid much heed at the 2008 Auto Expo, which is one of the biggest automotive shows in the world.
The time period was an eyewash for the company and it was inferred that in order to get noticed, Volkswagen had to incorporate the Indian thinking in its plans and policies formulated for the country.
However, with the passing time, VW has been thriving to bring things under its control. As a matter of fact, Europe's largest car maker, though making its foray, of late, into the Indian market, has managed to stand apart from the crowd. Just after four years since Volkswagen set up its India operations, it has sold over 1 lac cars, till October.
Owing to its team of seven models, ranging from compacts and sedans to luxury cars, VW has been on the roll, by ruling over a 3.5% area of the market. What makes the success more relevant is the fact that the Detroit giants are still in search of a big break, even after operating for more than a decade in the country. Moreover, it has not settled down after earning these laurels as it has gone ahead to takeover the leading brands namely, Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini SEAT and Skoda.
In India, the group has three brands under its belt; Skoda came in first, a decade ago, and Audi and VW landed on the Indian soil in 2007. The trio has been making plethora of efforts, in unison, to carve a niche for itself in the rapidly growing Indian market. Volkswagen does feel that the present scenario is the perfect time when it must hit the axe on the hot iron.
In spite of the depressing scene at the war front, the demand for passenger vehicles, ranging from small cars to high-end luxury coupes, has swelled up considerably. Subsequently, the rip-roaring trend has pumped up the VW group, which is expected to include the one time Spanish auto major SEAT under its umbrella.
Thus, Volkswagen must remain immensely active in the Indian market, in order to build conditions that permit the car maker to hold all the aces in the coming time.
