Volkswagen India exports 50,000th Vento; ‘Preferred’ special edition launched
Volkswagen’s Chakan factory in Pune, India has been making saloon versions (called Vento) of the current Polo 6R since 2011 and last week exported the 50,000th example. The milestone model was left-hand drive and was heading for a customer in Mexico. There, the car is known as the Polo Sedan, just as it is in South Africa.
Mexican exports from India started in October 2013, and as well as complete cars, the Pune plant sends Polo and Vento parts and components (CKD kits) overseas. IndianAutosBlog reports that as many as one car in three will be destined for Mexico.
Mahesh Kodumudi, President and Managing Director of Volkswagen India said: ‘The rising demand from Mexico mirrors the positive customer feedback of the Vento. Not only does this success help us in tackling the volatilities in the domestic market, but it also strengthens our export business in a sustainable way. With the success of our highest quality cars in this key market, we can further increase our scope of export to more countries in the near future.’
In related news, Volkswagen India has been busy in its domestic market. A new version of the Vento, the ‘Preferred’ has just gone on sale. Reportedly a 2013 Comfortline-specification model with added extras to clear out stocks, the Vento Preferred additional kit count includes alloy wheels and exterior chrome trim.
There are also side door protectors, sun visors (!), a boot spoiler, ‘Preferred’ badging and a reversing camera system with satellite navigation. Volkswagen India is also offering free roadside assistance for four years, as well as a year’s free insurance. All for Rs 10.74 lakh (on-road, Mumbai).
The Vento Preferred is powered by the same 103bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine as other Ventos/Polo Sedans mated to a five-speed gearbox. Vento sales in India have dipped recently from 2049 units in October 2013 to 1191 in February 2014, reports IndianAutosBlog. Base models of both the Vento and Polo 6R hatchback have therefore been dropped accordingly.
[Source: Indian Autos Blog]
