Volkswagen India has hit a milestone of producing 5 lakh cars from its Chakan based facility near Pune courtesy of strong demand from export markets.
Inaugurated in 2009, Volkswagen’s Chakan facility hit a new milestone this week as it rolled out the 5,00,000th vehicle from the assembly line which is the very likeable Polo GT TSI with 105 PS of power, paired to a 7-speed DSG gearbox for the Indian market. The facility caters to the demand of the domestic as well as overseas markets and the new milestone has been achievable thanks to the strong demand from exports, even as the company has been struggling to gain momentum in the domestic market.
The state-of-the-art facility at Chakan produces the Volkswagen Polo and Vento along with the Skoda Rapid and Fabia (production ended in 2013). The plant initially only produced vehicles for the domestic market but started exporting products to other countries as well since 2011. At present, the German auto giant exports its products in both left-hand drive and right-hand drive versions to over 32 countries in Asia, Africa and North America.
The Volkswagen Chakan plant is spread across 572 acres and houses the paint shop, body shop and assembly lines. With 123 robots, the plant has achieved 35 percent automation with laser welding for roof, ultrasonic welding for trim as well as dash and hot stamped A and B-pillars. Volkswagen churns out 430 cars per day in a two-shift system and produces 1,30,000 units annually, but has an installed capacity to produce 2,00,000 vehicles in a three-shift system. The plant provides employment to 3200 people directly and indirectly.
