Volkswagen, one of the leading carmaker companies, has started trial production of the Polo cars at its Chakan plant in India today. It was flagged off today by Dr Philipp Rosler, the Minister of Economics, Labour and Transportation of the German Federal State of Lower Saxony.
Polo car is going to be VWIs first locally made product in the Indian market. The car will be launched at New Delhis Auto Expo in January 2010, with commercial production to follow.
Dr Rosler, stated, "We are interested in the progress of the company which is headquartered in our State. We also hope to improve our partnership with the Indian economy."
The Chakan plant of VWI has provision to manufacture cars on two independent platforms, one of which will start commercial production of Group company Skodas compact car Fabia by the middle of next month. The Polo will also be produced on this platform.
Mr. Jorg Mueller, President and Managing Director, VW Group in India, noted that some suppliers may consider launching their facilities within the 575-acre complex. He said, "Discussions with some of our vendors for this are underway."
Dr John Chacko, Technical Managing Director, said, "In Germany most plants work 3-shifts. But this plant will work only two shifts even at peak production." He added that there will be a 2-hour gap between the end of one and the start of the other.
The Chakan plant has an installed capacity to build 110,000 cars, which will produce a car every two minutes at maximum production. Time taken for a Polo or Fabia to start at the press shop and end at the final roll out will take around 18 hours. Automation here will be 35 per cent against 98 per cent in Germany, Dr Chacko explained. The current strength of 720 workers will touch 2,500 by the end of 2010.
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