Volkswagen might launch a small car in India as well

Volkswagen might launch a small car in India as well

Maruti is the undisputed leader in the compact car segment in India. They have cars like Maruti 800, Maruti Alto, Maruti Wagon R and Maruti Zen Estilo along with Maruti Swift in this segment.

Their current challengers are Hyundai (Santro and Getz) and Tata Motors (Tata Indica). General Motors recently launched their Chevrolet Aveo U-VA to compete with Swift in the premium compact car category.

Other than that Maruti has little competition especially from the Japanese and European automakers. However, things might change in the coming years.

Honda, Toyota and Fiat have already said that they are going to launch smaller cars in the Indian market to gain numbers. Now Volkswagen is said to be considering similar plans to launch a small car in India.

VW CEO Martin Winterkorn has been quoted in the media saying that they are reviewing its models for India and sources have added that they are seriously considering plans to introduce a smaller compact car in the M800 range.

Pierre Bruedgam, member of the board-purchasing, Volkswagen India added: “We will not stop our activities in India! We are on track and are following our plans. We are now in a decision-making process. We are yet to decide on the models to be introduced in the Indian market in 2007 and which car will be produced at our new plant in Pune from 2009 onwards.”

The company has already somewhat confirmed that they are going to launch a car in India based on the Polo platform in India which would compete with Swift, Getz.

VW has also said that they are looking at the ‘A Zero Zero Class’, which is the equivalent of Maruti 800.