The German auto major Volkswagen on Saturday rolled out its first made-in-India car Polo at its plant at Chakan, near here, in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.
Mr. Chavan who welcomed the company’s decision to set up Rs.3,800-crore plant at Pune with an annual capacity of manufacturing 1.10 lakh cars, said the State Government would extend support to it to achieve its full capacity utilisation at the earliest.
“We have promised our voters that we will solve the energy problem in Maharashtra and put a stop to load shedding in the next three years,” he said, adding that the government was committed to remove all difficulties relating to development of infrastructure for industrial growth.
The Chief Minister said the government was looking out for more employment generation opportunities and appealed to foreign investors to consider opening their new plants in backward regions of the State such as Vidarbha, Konkan and Marathwada.
“Suicides of farmers are a matter of concern and we need to address social problems of the state resulting from lopsided development,” Mr. Chavan said.
He also asked MIDCs in Maharashtra to open ITI and polytechnic institutes to impart training to young people so that they could be absorbed in the industry, saying that there was a need to synchronise educational curriculum with requirements of the industry.
Prof. Jochem Heizmann, entrusted with the responsibility for Volkswagen Group production, said the investment of €580 million (Rs.3,800 crore) made in the plant was the largest one by a German company in India.
“This plant will establish the basis for significant and sustainable growth of Volkswagen in the Indian market,” he added.
