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German automaker <keyword id="6361865" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Volkswagen" source="Orion">Volkswagen</keyword> will kick off its electrification journey in India with the launch of its electric car ID.4 later this year as part of its global efforts of mass electrification, a senior company official said on Thursday. The company, which unveiled the ID.4, expects the Indian passenger vehicles market to grow 5-7 per cent this year while it is targeting 10-15 per cent growth for itself. "Our first step to the electrification journey in India begins with the ID.4...," Executive Director Sales International Operations, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Michael Mayer said here at the Volkswagen annual brand conference. He said the ID.4 is being brought in as part of the company's global efforts of mass electrification. It will be launched in the Indian market later this year. Globally, VW is leading in the electrification journey, he said, adding, as part of the company's commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement 2030, it is continuing efforts in various spheres, including the development of charging infrastructure that's key to acceptance of EVs, recycling of batteries, digitalisation and connectivity solutions. The company is offering different products from ID.2 to ID.Buzz globally targeting several segments of customers, Mayer said, adding that globally, VW's electric vehicle (EV) sales grew 21 per cent at around 4 lakh units in 2023. "This is not the end of the story. It is our goal to take this success to other markets," Mayer said. However, he added, "This would be a phased approach, wherein we will strengthen our current portfolio on the basis of brand positioning for the market." "India, needless to say, continues to be a key market for Volkswagen. India is a 4 million car market now and is expected to grow 5-7 per cent this year," he asserted. The Indian automotive industry is now ranked third in the world even surpassing Japan, Mayer said, adding, "Who would have thought it ten years back?" He said VW is committed to the Indian market and the company will continue to introduce its premium products over the next few years. Volkswagen Passenger Cars India Brand Director Ashish Gupta said the company's sales grew 8 per cent in 2023. The company had sold around 44,000 units. "Our target this year in 2024 is to increase it by 10-15 per cent," he added. The company will continue to expand its sales and service network to tap opportunities coming from Tier II and Tier III cities. He said the company is targeting to have a presence in 170 cities with 230 sales and pre-owned car touch points along with 150 service centres in 2024. Last year, it had set up 45 sales and service touch points, he said, adding that at present, the company has 193 sales and pre-owned car sales touch points and 145 service centres in 145 cities. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/motorola-edge-50-pro-to-launch-in-india-on-april-3-everything-we-know-so-far/articleshow/108667275.cms">Motorola Edge 50 Pro to launch in India on April 3 – Everything we know so far</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/realme-narzo-70-pro-5g-vs-iqoo-z9-battle-of-the-under-20000-smartphones/slidelist/108666287.cms">Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G vs iQOO Z9 – Battle of the under ₹20,000 smartphones</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/jsw-group-and-saic-motors-jv-jsw-mg-motor-india-set-to-up-production-to-3-lakh-vehicles-a-year-with-a-new-car-every-3-6-months/articleshow/108647799.cms">JSW Group and SAIC Motor’s JV ‘JSW MG Motor India’ set to up production to 3 lakh vehicles a year with a new car every 3-6 months</a>

Volkswagen to kick off electrification journey in India later this year with ID.4 launch

Ingolstadt, Luxury automaker <keyword id="19911529" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="audi" source="keywords">Audi</keyword> India is looking to commence local assembly of electric vehicles, a move which would help it roll out models at an affordable price helping expand its customer base in the country. The automaker currently imports its entire EV range comprising Q8 50 e-tron, Q8 55 e-tron, Q8 <keyword id="21011482" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sportback" source="keywords">Sportback</keyword> 50 e-tron, Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron, e-tron GT, and RS e-tron GT, into the country. It, however, assembles petrol models like Q3, Q3 Sportback, Q5, Q7, A4, and A6 at its Aurangabad (Maharashtra) based manufacturing plant. In an interaction with PTI here, Audi India Head Balbir <keyword id="20078416" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="singh-dhillon" source="keywords">Singh Dhillon</keyword> said the local manufacturing of EVs is a work in progress with active discussions going on with its global headquarters. "We are working with Audi AG very positively and hopefully at some point in time we will be able to announce this (local assembly of EV models)," he noted. When asked about the expected timeline of commencing the process, Dhillon did not share any specific date but stated that the India unit is discussing the matter with the global headquarters very "positively". "Hopefully we should have some solution at some point in time. That is the time when you can reach even more (set of customers) because then you will get the best advantage in terms of price point," he said. He further said, "I think the next 2-3 years will be very crucial (2024-2026). These years will see many more new electric cars coming at different price points. Then I think our reach to our existing customers or first-time buyers will go up." The company's current EV model lineup is priced over Rs 1 crore thus serving a very niche set of customers. Currently, cars imported into India as Completely Built Units (CBUs) attract customs duty ranging from 60 per cent to 100 per cent. The country's customs duty system treats electric cars and hydrocarbon-powered vehicles equally, imposing significant tariffs to encourage domestic manufacturing. Audi, globally, is looking to introduce multiple electric models in the next 2-3 years many of which would also come to India thus helping the Indian operations to choose which ones to localise. In order to rev up sales volume, Audi India would look out for models which sit below the current range in price terms. The company currently gets around 2 per cent of its total sales from EVs. It reported 89 per cent growth in retail sales in India at 7,931 units last year as compared with a total of 4,187 units in 2022. Audi on Monday evening globally premiered the Q6 e-tron, a new EV model which would sit below the Q8 e-tron range. To be manufactured at the company's Ingolstadt plant, the model is expected to roll out in various markets globally this year. It is also expected to make its way to Indian shores early next year. Dhillon said the model would help in widening the company's customer base in India. "That's the expectation that our penetration in electric mobility should go up with this model (Q6 e-tron)," he noted. Audi expects 50 per cent of its sales in India to come from electric vehicles by 2030. Globally, Audi has decided to become a fully electric vehicle manufacturer from 2033 onwards. The Q6 e-tron is the first production model on the company's <keyword id="21011483" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="premium-platform-electric" source="keywords">Premium Platform Electric</keyword> (<keyword id="19989989" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ppe" source="keywords">PPE</keyword>), marking the next step in the company's transformation into a provider of premium electric mobility. The electric SUV will be available to order from this month with deliveries expected to customers in the third quarter of 2024. The Q6 e-tron comes with a range of up to 625 kms. "The PPE shows how we are pooling expertise within the <keyword id="20139313" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="volkswagen-group" source="keywords">Volkswagen Group</keyword> and thus making electric mobility scalable," Audi AG Chairman of the Board of Management Gernot Dollner said. Thanks to the PPE, the company is able to launch high-volume models with high technical standards in different segments, he added.

Local production of EVs a work in progress: Audi India Head

Czech car maker <keyword id="101122" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="skoda-auto" source="Orion">Skoda Auto</keyword> has said <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> will become an export hub for the company as it is set to commence exports of vehicle kits for assembly in Vietnam from next year. The company, which posted a whopping 125 percent year-on-year surge in its vehicle sales at 53,721 units in 2022, also sounded hopeful of growing into double-digit this year as well. Similarly, <keyword id="166267" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="volkswagen-group" source="Orion">Volkswagen Group</keyword> sales grew 85.48 per cent year-on-year at 1,01,270 units in the previous calendar year. The Group is present through <keyword id="6361542" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="skoda" source="Orion">Skoda</keyword> Auto, <keyword id="6361865" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="volkswagen" source="Orion">Volkswagen</keyword>, Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini brands under Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (SAVWPIL). "India is an absolutely important market as part of our regional strategy of Skoda Auto, and India will become an export hub for Skoda," <keyword id="14798920" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="petr-solc" source="Orion">Petr Solc</keyword>, Brand Director at Skoda Auto India told PTI in an interaction. Volkswagen is already exporting vehicles from India to Mexico and South Africa while Skoda Auto is exporting to the Middle East and North Africa. "From next year we will start exporting vehicle kits for assembly in Vietnam," Solc stated. Export is already an important part and will continue to be an important part of the strategy for Skoda and Volkswagen, he stated. Noting that Skoda Auto India for the first time delivered more than 50,000 cars in the domestic market last year, he said "we would like to grow with the market or even faster and our ambition is to grow into double digits." He said that 2022 was specific for the company on account of the Slavia launch and added that "So, there was this kind of a one-time effect of any new model introduction." "Now, we have both models (all-new Slavia sedan and <keyword id="10576650" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="kushaq-suv" source="Orion">Kushaq SUV</keyword>) in the market and can now enjoy having both models for the full year in the market," he said. Solc said that the 7-seater updated SUV Kodiaq will also play a role in terms of the company's growth strategy, particularly when there is a much greater supply now. To a question on Audi, which at a point of time was the undisputed leader in the domestic premium luxury car market, Christian Cahn Von Seelen, Member of the Board for sales, marketing and digital at SAVWPIL said that its growth has been "impressive" in terms of volume in 2022 compared to the year earlier and that was still hampered significantly by the chip supply situations even in Europe. "So the growth of Audi is impressive, and we are definitely planning to continue...So as much (as) I think, I can say we will see loads of new product introductions here on the other side." On the company's EV foray in the Indian market, Solc said it depends on the development of the segment in the country. Late last month, the European car maker Skoda announced its EV roadmap, which includes six electric cars in a phased manner by 2026. "We as a manufacturer and Skoda, we will be ready. And if we see good traction, we are talking about the prognosis that the car market or the EV can go within 5-10 years, up to 20, maybe 30 per cent. We don't know necessarily," he said. "So this could be part, we would like to be also within that range, but depends again, on the response. If we see more manufacturers going, there is an infrastructure built here and there's an acceptance from the customers to buy electric cars, and we will be ready," he said. He said that the company is discussing which models it should bring in the future also to India as an EV. "And if we see the potential in the market, we will bring them as well. So I cannot say necessarily what the percentage will be. But if the market is going towards more than 20 per cent of the electric vehicles of the total market, we would like to penetrate within the EV segment," Solc added. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/india-adds-1839-covid-infections-active-cases-down-to-25178/articleshow/100063997.cms">India adds 1,839 Covid infections, active cases down to 25,178</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/adani-group-stocks-tumble-after-msci-tweak-market-capitalisation-falls-by-23000-crore/articleshow/100066101.cms">Adani group stocks tumble after MSCI tweak, market capitalisation falls by ₹23,000 crore</a>

India to become export hub for Skoda Auto from next year, says co-official

German carmaker <keyword id="6361865" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="volkswagen" source="Orion">Volkswagen</keyword> plans to bring its first electric vehicle to <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> next year with the launch of premium electric SUV ID.4 to tap the opportunity in the fast-growing electric mobility space in the country, a senior company official said on Tuesday. By 2030, Volkswagen expects 25-30 per cent of its total sales in India to come from EVs and the rest from internal combustion engine vehicles. The company, which has introduced a slew of new variants of its existing conventional engine models, Taigun and <keyword id="5317244" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="virtus" source="Orion">Virtus</keyword>, is looking at a sales growth of 40-45 per cent this year. Volkswagen Passenger Cars India Brand Director <keyword id="201012" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ashish-gupta" source="Orion">Ashish Gupta</keyword> said the company is following a two-pronged strategy of premiumisation and electrification to strengthen its presence and enhance its position in India. "Our strategy is very clear. One is premiumisation and the second has to be naturally in line with global positioning, electrification," he told PTI here in an interaction. Asserting that electrification has to be "done now", he said, "You have to start doing it now to be able to bring a mass electric car, in the timelines that the industry is looking at somewhere in between 2026-27. That's what most of the market is looking at in terms of mass electrification. We are looking at similar timelines." When asked further about the type of product and launch timelines, <keyword id="6356160" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="gupta" source="Orion">Gupta</keyword> said, "The path to mass electrification in India is first of all going with your global premium products. That's where the ID4 will slot in." He further said, "We are working towards it and if all goes well definitely next year, I would like to bring this here." The ID4 will be assembled in India at the company's Aurangabad plant with parts and components imported. Gupta said electric mobility in India has grown faster than expected and VW believes that by 2030 the level of EV penetration in the passenger vehicles segment in the country could be around 18-30 per cent of total sales on the basis of different studies. As for VW, he said the company is on the more optimistic side and EVs share to its overall sales in India could be around 25-30 per cent with the rest coming from internal combustion engine vehicles by 2030. Electrification will come in steps as the ecosystem is currently not ready in India, Gupta said. "The supply base is not ready. About 50 per cent of the car cost of an electric car is the battery and unless mass localisation of battery manufacturing happens in India, none of the OEMs, not only us, will be able to do mass electrification." On the overall sales growth prospects for 2023, he said, "The first quarter has been good for us. We have grown almost 15 per cent compared to quarter one of last year. This year our plan is to grow around 40 to 45 per cent compared to last year." In 2022, VW sold around 41,000 units in the domestic market and in the first quarter of 2023 it sold nearly 12,000 units, he added. Gupta said the company will focus on premiumisation and network expansion, along with the addition of new variants to existing models to further propel its growth. "We are expanding into new territories because that's where the growth is coming in...With the new variants, we are now making the technology even more accessible. We are bringing in more price points in our range that will definitely add volumes...," he said. Gupta said the semiconductor shortage issue, due to which VW had suffered a production loss of around 18,000 last year, has improved although it has not fully been resolved. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/ipl-2023-these-players-proving-age-is-just-a-number/slidelist/99583314.cms">Ageless wonders: These senior players in IPL are ruling with their performance</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/irctc-warns-users-about-fake-android-app-and-website/articleshow/99583387.cms">IRCTC warns of fake app and website scamming users out of their sensitive information—here’s how to stay safe</a>

Volkswagen to bring its first EV in India next year

Passenger vehicle exports from <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> rose 15 per cent in FY23 with Maruti Suzuki India leading the segment with dispatches of over 2.5 lakh units, as per the latest data by industry body SIAM. The total passenger vehicle (PV) exports stood at 6,62,891 units in 2022-23 fiscal as compared to 5,77,875 units in 2021-22. Passenger car shipments saw a 10 per cent growth at 4,13,787 units, while utility vehicle exports rose 23 per cent at 2,47,493 units during the last fiscal, the data by the <keyword id="1577311" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="society-of-indian-automobile" source="Orion">Society of Indian Automobile</keyword> Manufacturers (SIAM) showed. Exports of vans, however, declined to 1,611 units last fiscal, from 1,853 units in the 2021-22 fiscal year. Maruti Suzuki India (<keyword id="6392170" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="msi" source="Orion">MSI</keyword>) led the exports last fiscal in the passenger vehicle segment. It was followed by Hyundai Motor India and Kia India. MSI, the country's largest carmaker, exported 2,55,439 PVs last fiscal, an 8 per cent increase as compared to 2,35,670 units in the 2020-21 fiscal year. The carmaker exports to various markets, including Latin America, ASEAN, Africa, the Middle East and neighbouring regions. Hyundai Motor India's overseas dispatches stood at 1,53,019 units last fiscal, up 18 per cent from 1,29,260 units in 2021-22. Similarly, Kia India exported 85,756 units across global markets in the period under review as compared to 50,864 units in 2021-22. <keyword id="148574" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="nissan-motor-india" source="Orion">Nissan Motor India</keyword> shipped 60,637 units; Renault India 34,956 units; <keyword id="6361865" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="volkswagen" source="Orion">Volkswagen</keyword> India 27,137 units in FY23. Honda Cars India exported 22,710 units, while Mahindra &amp; Mahindra chipped in with 10,622 units in the 2022-23 fiscal. Overall automobile exports from India last fiscal stood at 47,61,487 units, down 15 per cent from 56,17,359 units in 2021-22. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/hdfc-hdfc-bank-merger-to-bring-inflows-of-up-to-3-billion-all-eyes-now-on-the-merger/articleshow/99557243.cms">HDFC-HDFC Bank merger to bring inflows of up to $3 billion: All eyes now on the merger</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/diesel-sales-jump-on-agricultural-demand/articleshow/99558562.cms">Diesel sales jump on agricultural demand</a>

Passenger vehicle exports from India rise 15% in FY23; Maruti Suzuki leads segment

Volkswagen reveals Polo Legend Edition in India — Price, specifications and features

<keyword id="596" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="hyundai" source="Orion">Hyundai</keyword> <keyword id="1384468" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="mobis" source="Orion">Mobis</keyword>, South Korea's leading auto parts maker, said on Monday it has developed the world's first rollable display for vehicles. The rollable display disappears when the engine is turned off and the screen rolls up and down depending on driving conditions, the company said in a statement. The display is scaled up to two-thirds when using navigation and is switched to full-screen mode to watch videos while the vehicle is parked or when charging an electric vehicle, it said, reports <keyword id="197034" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="yonhap" source="Orion">Yonhap</keyword> news agency. Hyundai Mobis aims to obtain orders for the rollable display, which was partly adopted in smartphones and TVs, from luxury carmakers in North America and Europe. "We are looking forward to becoming a game changer in the automotive display market with our differentiated technology. We will pioneer the global market by driving the trend of new infotainment technologies," Han Young-hoon, vice president in charge of the Electronics Convenience and Control (EC) division at Hyundai Mobis, said. Display technology for in-car entertainment has emerged as a new growth driver in the in-vehicle infotainment market. The existing liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are quickly replaced by bigger-sized plastic organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) of 20 inches and larger. That is why Hyundai Mobis has focused on developing the rollable display in the past two years. Hyundai Mobis is a core affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, which also has Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. under its wing. Hyundai Motor and Kia together form the world's third-largest carmaker by sales after <keyword id="67309" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="toyota-motor" source="Orion">Toyota Motor</keyword> and <keyword id="166267" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="volkswagen-group" source="Orion">Volkswagen Group</keyword>. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/ai-generated-images-and-videos-a-game-changer-or-a-threat-to-authenticity/articleshow/99560443.cms">AI-generated images and videos: A game-changer or a threat to authenticity?</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/check-out-countries-list-with-the-highest-and-lowest-probability-for-recession/slidelist/99560624.cms">India has zero probability of recession in 2023 – Here’s how other countries fare</a>

Hyundai Mobis develops world's 1st rollable vehicle display

<ul><li>Things are slowly looking up for the auto industry as more and more people are opening up to buying both new and pre-owned vehicles due to safety concerns when it comes to using public transport.</li><li>Volkswagen has been witnessing an increase in enqueries and bookings since unlock has started.</li><li><keyword id="4669550" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Steffen-Knapp">Steffen Knapp</keyword>, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India tells us how through meticulous planning, the brand is pretty much on track with its 2020 plans, both in terms of new car and pre-owned car sales.</li></ul>The auto industry had been witnessing a slump even before Covid-19 hit the world. The lockdown also saw businesses coming to a complete halt and the industry got another jolt. However, with the unlocking of the country, things are slowly picking up. Consumer sentiments, while still not at pre-Covid levels, are improving. Auto makers are witnessing more enquiries and bookings. Meanwhile, the lockdown and people’s increasing focus on safety has also led to an increased interest in buying vehicles so the past few months have also seen more and more people being open to buying pre-owned vehicles. According to reports, a recent survey by credit rating agency ICRA revealed that there has been a sequential recovery month-over-month in segments like passenger vehicles, two-wheelers and tractors. Auto makers are also looking forward to a good Diwali. We recently caught up with Steffen Knapp, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India who told us how the brand has been getting back in the game. He discusses the strategies that helped them get over the difficult months of lockdown and how they are on track with their 2020 plans, whether new car or pre-owned car sales and their target of 150 sales outlets across the country. Excerpts: Q) The auto sector was witnessing a slowdown even before the pandemic hit. How have things been for you as an organization in the past few months? Undoubtedly, the Indian auto industry is under pressure and more so with the current situation market sentiments are at an all-time low. Having said that, we utilized the past few months to further strengthen our foundation and worked hard together with our key stakeholders – employees, dealer partners and customers to support them in times of crisis. With a clear focus on ensuring their safety, peace-of-mind and comfort, we extended financial and infrastructural support to our dealer partners, engaged with our employees via virtual trainings, product refreshers, quizzes and business activities to keep the momentum high. We ensured complete peace of mind for our discerning customers, ensuring- extension of warranties, door step services, mobile service units to add to their convenience. Even before the pandemic, one of our key focus areas was Digitalization and we ensured availability of online and secured sales and services for our customers. Overall, we believe there’s an opportunity to embrace the new normal and seek newer possibilities for us. Q) With shops reopening, and traffic coming back on roads, has there been a spike in enquiries, or people buying new cars? What kind of business impact has the lockdown had on the organization? While the initial phase of lockdown was a challenging time for all of us, our business preparedness at Volkswagen helped us align our strategy and brand priorities. We launched two new SUVs under our SUVW strategy – T-Roc &amp; Tiguan Allspace right before the nationwide lockdown was announced. In the last couple of months, our focus was specifically on our new products/models and we introduced <keyword id="10172000" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="polo-vento">Polo &amp; Vento</keyword> TSI edition and our newly launched 6-speed AT transmission. Now with markets slowly opening up, we observe an increase in level of inquiries and bookings across our product range. In fact, our latest SUV T-Roc which was launched in March this year is sold out and the bookings have been closed for the carline. Along with enquires on new cars, we have witnessed an increase in demand for our used-car business, <keyword id="888482" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Das-WeltAuto">Das WeltAuto</keyword> (DWA) given the increasing demand for personal mobility. The demand further depends on factors like financial stability and the growing trend of first-time buyers opting for pre-owned vehicles. For Volkswagen, our pre-owned car business is a key to meet the demand and supply of the discerning car buyers. The lockdown had severely impacted the ecosystem and in specific the supply-chain. However, with unlock guidelines announced by the authorities, we are resuming business slowly but steadily. Our India 2.0 plan is in intact and we are committed to our plans. Q) At the time when showrooms were completely shut, how were you still engaging with your consumers? How did you transform your business model to stay relevant in the consumer's life? First things first, we ensured safety and well-being of all our stakeholders and took decisive steps to ensure smooth functioning of business from home. As next steps, we made all our sales and services available via online platform including new car purchases, live demos, real-time service jobs etc. As for content, we completely focused our marketing efforts in digital space and assisted all our prospects with the required information or supported basis their need. The end-to-end digital retail channel integrated our 137 sales and 116 service touchpoints. We extended our digitization drive across our used-car segment to enable transparent and fair evaluation for customers to buy and sell cars through our Das WeltAuto website or Das WeltAuto Valuator App. With unlock guidelines, we resumed business operations in a staggered manner under our comprehensive #VWellness program to provide and maintain health, hygiene and sanitization standards across all our touchpoints. This is to ensure customer confidence &amp; trust in our brand &amp; network operations. Q) What has your broad marketing strategy been to navigate these adverse times? The nationwide lockdown led to a major shift towards digital platforms. In line with this, we accelerated all our campaigns and customer engagements program over our digital communication platforms.Due to the lockdown, print and OOH mediums took a backseat in our media planning. As for future plans, we will continue our efforts across the genres to ensure our message reaches out to the right audience and at the right time but of-course with efficiencies in place. Q) How has this year’s festive season been so far? The market is returning to pre-Covid levels, our sales are above last year’s retail volumes. We expect the upcoming festive season to bring-in some cheer to the market, in turn, improving consumer sentiments. We are expecting a strong festive period as customers demand will not only be driven in the new car segment but will also push the peddle for the pre-owned vehicle segment. Q) How are you working on expanding your reach and presence in India? Are you on track with your launch plans despite the impact of the lockdown? While the pandemic had deterred our plans for Q2 2020, it has also given the opportunity to accelerate other strategic initiatives. With meticulous planning, we are pretty much on track with our 2020 plans whether new car or pre-owned car sales. This year, we shall reach our target of 150 sales outlets across the country. We’re confident on our SUVW strategy of introducing four SUVs for the Indian market. We’ve launched two until now (Tiguan Allspace &amp; T-Roc) and are successful in terms of retail. Next year, will mark the year of the <keyword id="1489436" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Volkswagen-Taigun">Volkswagen Taigun</keyword> and we’re preparing extensively for its launch in 2021. Q) As a marketer and leader, what have been your learnings from the lockdown experience? As a marketer and leader, our biggest learning has been to stay connected and transparent whether with our employees, customers or dealer partners. Irrespective of the situation, it is important to take your people with you and provide them regular updates of your business. Thankfully, technology has been of great support throughout the lockdown, allowing you to stay connected. Q) From an industry perspective, what are a few things that need to be done to woo back people to the idea of buying new cars (There has been a spike in people buying used cars)? Accessible and individual mobility options, right financing schemes, safe and sanitized showrooms, engaging brand campaigns and digital retail opportunities can bring back customer interest. At this moment, customers are looking for affordable and customized solutions, professional experiences that make them feel comfortable in purchasing their preferred vehicle. In specific to the used car market, we’ve grown in double digits in our month-on-month retails vs. the same period last year. Keeping this in mind, we launched the DWA Excellence centers in five pilot cities with a growth expansion plan to 17 this year. The trained consultants will offer our customers curated experiences in-turn a valued proposition. Q) Where will the next phase of growth for Volkswagen come from? In the global scheme of things, how important is India as a market for Volkswagen? India is one of the priority markets for Volkswagen and as part of the India commitment, <keyword id="166267" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Volkswagen-Group">Volkswagen Group</keyword> is investing €1 billion in the implementation of India 2.0 project, since mid - 2018. With the aim to reach a 3% market share within the next five years, Volkswagen India is focusing on its SUVW strategy. Late last year, we announced the launch of four SUVs in two years, out of which we’ve delivered two products for the Indian market. The T-Roc has been sold out and we have a successful campaign on the Tiguan Allspace. The other two will be launched next year (2021) with an extensive focus on the ‘Volkswagen Taigun’. The Taigun will re-define the segment in terms of design, technology and safety as its built on our MQB A0 IN platform, boasting a localization level of up to 93%.

We're pretty much on track with our 2020 plans, both in terms of new car and pre-owned car sales: Steffen Knapp, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India

<ul><li>Considering that we are still fighting a global pandemic, brands tried to tread the line between humorous and insensitive campaigns this year.</li><li>So, from <keyword id="6361865" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="volkswagen">Volkswagen</keyword> (Voltswagen) to <keyword id="11029505" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="ola-airpro">Ola AirPro</keyword>, here are a few April Fool’s Day campaigns that almost had us fooled!</li></ul>With COVID cases on the rise again, we are all looking for a comic relief. This April Fool’s Day, brands have got your back. On the first day of April, brands usually pull a prank on their consumers by launching fake products, misdirect them into hoaxes or simply remind them to not be a fool. This year too, brands did not disappoint. They used their marketing campaigns to help their consumers giggle or drive home a bigger message through their pranks. On the other hand, experts applauded Google’s decision to put pause on its April Fool’s prank this year. The tech giant aims to express its solidarity with the healthcare workers and the grieving families recovering from the loss of loved ones. To help you forget the bigger prank life is pulling on all of us, here are a few light-hearted campaigns that caught our attention and made us laugh: Ola As fuel prices skyrocketed this year, Ola decided to launch a fully autonomous electric flying car called ‘Ola AirPro.’ The car is so light that you can lift it with one hand and you won’t ever need to worry about finding the perfect parking spot and worry about poor urban planning. Over the years, Ola has almost always played a prank on its users on April Fool’s starting from announcing Ola newsroom to Ola Restroom. With its clever campaigns, the brand never fails to drive home a bigger message and comment on the ever-changing socio-political environment. <div type="twitter" handle="bhash" handlename="Bhavish Aggarwal" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1133256267340713984/UaxcE0fi_normal.jpg" favoritecount="2298" retweetcount="555" status="Excited to unveil the world’s first and only fully autonomous electric flying car. The Ola AirPro. Ab har family bh… https://t.co/WEdjAhqK6f" createdat="1617259659000" id="1377512970196971524"></div> The ride-hailing company has also launched a <a href="https://olaairpro.com/" data-type="tilCustomLink">website </a>to track consumer interest. <keyword id="263363" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="MTV-India">MTV India</keyword> Ever fell for “Bas 12th nikal lo, ek baar college mil gaya toh maze hi maze?” Join the club, friend! This campaign will make you ponder upon a lot of bad decisions that you have made in your life. At least we took an unwanted trip down the unpleasant memory lane. MTV India’s April Fool’s Day campaign is an eye-opening comment on unrealistic standards that our parents often set for us. It is about those parents who make your life, career and relationship decisions for you. “So, this April Fool’s Day, raise a toast with MTV and have a laugh for being the fools we never intended to be,” reads its caption. <div type="javascript" title="Instagram" contenttype="Video"><cdata><![CDATA[ ]]></cdata></div> <keyword id="8681398" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Urban-Company">Urban Company</keyword> Ever made the mistake of snoozing your alarm and barely made it to your 9 am Zoom call? Urban Company has a solution for you! Its new #AlarmAtHome service will send a trained professional to wake you up from your sleep, no matter what. Jokes apart, some of us unorganised bachelors really need this. <div type="twitter" handle="urbancompany_UC" handlename="Urban Company" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1336196738294534144/rKe5BkVP_normal.jpg" favoritecount="12" retweetcount="2" status="Our new #AlarmAtHome service for those who take their sleeping a little more seriously! 😴Wherever you are, we prom… https://t.co/tOynAUWmC3" createdat="1617261511000" id="1377520736978362369"></div> <keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword> The e-commerce giant gives you a glimpse of the future with its April Fool’s Day prank. It said that the platform will accept bitcoin as a mode of payment. While it is just a prank, it might be a possibility very soon! This social media campaign is conceptualised by Dentsu Webchutney. <div type="twitter" handle="Flipkart" handlename="Flipkart" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1267713887165485061/WUR4QXtd_normal.jpg" favoritecount="4825" retweetcount="1066" status="The future is here. We now accept Bitcoin as a convenient mode of payment. Update your app now. https://t.co/l3MlY2qwRd" createdat="1617211834000" id="1377312378061135872"></div> Volkswagen A brand that had everyone talking with its April Fool’s prank globally is Volkswagen. Carmaker Volkswagen published a press release announcing that its US operations will be changing its name to ‘Voltswagen.’ The move, read the release, was to signify the company’s commitment to electrifying its fleet. However, the auto giant has now announced that it was just a prank. <div type="twitter" handle="VW" handlename="Volkswagen" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1247872762317766657/oco3obe0_normal.jpg" favoritecount="6786" retweetcount="1978" status="We know, 66 is an unusual age to change your name, but we’ve always been young at heart. Introducing Voltswagen. Si… https://t.co/Kyd0An7wGt" createdat="1617106067000" id="1376868756782219266"></div> Keventers What does a brand do when Holi and April Fool’s Day are almost back to back? Shake it up for its fans with some well-intentioned fun, 'cos “Bura Na Mano, Holi Hai”. Keventers launched a limited time period ‘Bhang Flavoured Milkshake’, on the eve of the Holi long weekend; with a reveal on April Fool’s Day of how they had orchestrated a well-timed and aptly themed prank around a product that didn't really exist. The result of the campaign was to get more eyeballs and create social media chatter around the Bhang Flavoured Milkshake. It also gave the brand an opportunity to engage with existing audiences and reach out to new ones, while reminding them that Keventers is a brand that has a personality, a sense of humour, and a penchant for experimentation. The brand’s page saw a week-on-week jump in profile visit by 60%+ increase and its impressions hiked by 500%+. It also received 2K+ calls in their outlets across the country just asking for Bhang Flavoured Milkshake. <div type="javascript" title="Instagram" contenttype="Image"><cdata><![CDATA[ ]]></cdata></div> Ixigo Turbulence is a major cause of anxiety for travellers. So, this April Fool's, Ixigo decided to launch a smart seat that makes its travellers' trip turbulence-free. According to Ixigo, its anti-turbulence cushion is a result of our groundbreaking research in gyro sensors, hydraulic pistons and industry-grade shock absorption. With applied learnings from car suspension systems, earthquake resistance technology and NASA following their robotic suspension for the Mars rovers. Marking the company's foray into the air cushion packaging market, anti-turbulence cushion has already received 1,500 registrations. <div type="Youtube" id="Ilh1xVGOmBk" title="ixigo smart seat - anti turbulence cushion" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ilh1xVGOmBk/mqdefault.jpg"></div>

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