Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (SAVWIPL) has announced the commencement of a third production shift at its plant at Chakan. The Chakan facility is the production base for Skoda and VW's locally manufactured models including the new range of compact cars and SUVs developed under Skoda and VW under the India 2.0 plan. The company says that the third shift will allow it to better manage demand for its models while also improving wait times for the Skoda Slavia which was launched in late-February.
Commenting on the announcement, Piyush Arora, Managing Director, SAVWIPL said, “The commencement of the third shift at our Pune facility is a testimony to the overwhelming response received by the cars launched under the VW Group's INDIA 2.0 project. The Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun have been well received by our customers. We are gearing up to accelerate deliveries of the Skoda Slavia.”
The company is currently gearing to launch the Slavia's sister sedan, the Volkswagen Virtus in India on June 9 with production already underway at Chakan. The Virtus will be the last model confirmed under the India 2.0 plan.
SAVWIPL has already commenced production of the Virtus at Chakan ahead of its launch.
Arora said that the start of the third shift would also help the brand meet the rise in demand it foresees both within the country and abroad. The company in February commenced exports of the VW T-Cross to Mexico with exports of its other made-in-India cars also expected to be on the cards.
“With the third shift, we have taken on additional manpower to help us cater to the increase in demand, that we foresee both on the domestic and export front. We are confident that we will continue on the growth path set in motion by the Volkswagen Group in the year 2021,” Arora said.
The Chakan facelift currently produces Volkswagen Polo, Volkswagen Vento, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus.
Also Read: Volkswagen Virtus Review: 1.0 TSI And 1.5 TSI Automatics Driven
SAVWIPL under its five brands – Skoda, VW, Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini – recorded a cumulative sales growth of 76% in 2021. The company recently rolled out its 15-lakh vehicle from its Indian manufacturing facilities which include the Chakan plant and its second facility at Aurangabad where it locally assembles cars arriving as Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kits.
