Volkswagen on Wednesday launched two new versions of the Passat and the Jetta.
The Passat TSI 1.8 litre TSI is priced at Rs.19.20 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), while the Jetta 2.0 litre diesel Comfortline is priced at Rs.15.92 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
The TSI petrol engine for the Passat is known for maximum power and minimum fuel consumption and is a pioneering technology for petrol engines. The Passat 1.8 L TSI gives 12.69 km a litre while the Jetta 2.0 diesel gives 19.53 km a litre.
Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt. Ltd. Member of the Board and Director (Volkswagen Passenger Cars) Neeraj Garg told The Hindu , “Over the last 1-1.5 years, we have been introducing products with the latest technological developments and over the period have, in fact, introduced eight products.''
Volkswagen now offers the two versions assembled in Aurangabad and the new Beetle, the SUV Touareg and the Polo. The Beetle and Touareg are imported as completely built units (CBUs), the Jetta and the Passat have only single digit localisation but the Polo, which is made out of the new factory in Chakan near Pune, has about 50 per cent localisation.
“We are aware about the cost benefits of localisation but are in no hurry to increase the localisation content and we will do so only when we are certain about the quality standards. We prefer a gradual approach,'' said Mr. Garg.
Volkswagen sold 2,342 Jettas and 615 Passats in calendar 2009 and 572 Jettas and 123 Passats in January and February 2010. According to Mr. Garg, the company will look to maintain or slightly improve on these figures. The company is banking on the Polo to deliver volumes. “We are now looking to consolidate our position with the Polo and gradually introduce newer technology in the higher segments.''
