Volkswagen: Finally building cars in Malaysia
After the neverending story with Proton, Volkswagen has finally inked a deal to produce cars in Malaysia.
Volkswagen will be working closely with Malaysia’s DRB Hicom, using its existing structures and capacities including a plant in Pekan. DRB Hicom currently owns the largest automotive production network in Malaysia and builds passenger cars and commercial vehicles at its plants in Pekan and Melaka.
Note that the cars built by Volkswagen in Malaysia will rely on Completely-Knocked-Down kits; essentially completed modules shipped from Germany and then pieced together to gain local production status. It’s a strategy that several other foreign automakers, including BMW and Mercedes-Benz, utilize to partially circumvent Malaysia’s ridiculously high tarrifs.
Volkswagens Innovations For Everyone Campaign Gets Overwhelming Response
Volkswagen initiated the ‘Innovations for Everyone’ campaign in September 2010. It is aimed at identifying the potential of relevant innovations that could lead to technological or scientific breakthroughs to help improve quality of life. In the quest to discover India’s most innovative and creative ideas in the field of technology, re-engineering, and environment, Volkswagen received a participation of more than fivethousand individuals. This was conducted with the association of the National Geographic Channel. The grand finale showcased the 3 winning innovations each of who were monetarily awarded for their efforts by Volkswagen. The final winning innovation which was decided by public voting was also awarded, the VolkswagenVento, Volkswagen’s newt premium entry level sedan.
Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Lutz Kothe, Head of Marketing & PR, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen India Group Sales said: “Innovation is one of our key brand pillars and with this campaign our attempt was to bring the brand closer to the people of India. We wanted them to think free, give their ideas and thoughts an identity and move towards a world of modernization and we are delighted with the response that we have received with this very first campaign. We look forward to continue this campaign in future.”
{Source: Carwale}
Volkswagen To Launch 2011 Passat
Volkswagen India has confirmed that it will launch the new Passat in 2011. Volkswagen India has no plans to increase the localisation of the Passat and will continue to assemble the car from knocked down kits. The Volkswagen new Passat is offered in the 3 variants: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. The Volkswagen Passat Trendline represents the entry level for the model series, while the Passat Comfortline is recommended as a comfort-oriented medium equipment level; positioned at the boundary to the upper medium class is the exclusive Volkswagen Passat Highline.
Prominent changes in the new passat includes modification in the dashboard. Its upper section, where the air conditioner vents are integrated, has a new surface texture. Chrome accents enhances the looks of the vent screens. The decorative strips in the instruments also have new and higher-end material composition; they visually separate the upper and lower areas and are now designed with a slight curvature. In the Trendline base version, “Matt Chrome” decorative inserts are used.
For the 1st time, door trims of the VolksWagen new Passat are treated with special accents. 4 other decor types are available for the Comfortline (Iridium Printed) and Highline (Brushed Aluminium). Natural Walnut and Zebrano wood accents are offered on the Passat Comfortline at extra charge and as a selection on the Passat Highline. Designed in brushed aluminium is the centre console aboard the Passat Comfortline and Highline. In line with this are the chrome bezels of the illuminated switches for lights, mirror adjustment and window lifts.
{Source: Motorbeam}
Volkswagen and DRB-Hicom Sign Agreement
Volkswagen and DRB-Hicom have signed an agreement for local car assembly in Malaysia, making way for VolksWagen to gradually expand its activities in Southeast Asia. The signing in Kuala Lumpur, which follows the Memo Of Understanding signed by both parties in August 2010 aimed at investigating the possibility of local car production, was done in the presence of PM Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Volkswagen new Passat and Jetta saloons have been identified as the 1st VolksWagen cars to be assembled here, with production of the passat slated to begin from the end of next year at DRB-Hicom’s plant in Pekan, Pahang. The choice of engines and variants levels were not announced.
Diversified Resources Berhad Heavy Industries Corporation of Malaysia Berhad(DRB-Hicom) stated that the operation is not to be seen as that of contract manufacturing, but rather a JV, with a significant involvement in the deal, which is worth around RM1 billion – the planned ratio of DRB-Hicom’s investment is 70 percent, with VolksWagen injecting the remaining 30 percent. Pekan has a capacity to around one lakh vehicles annually, and current capacity is just around a 3rd of that, so there is plenty of space in line with the new plans, though a significant amount of investment will be put in for infrastructure construction and product planning, among other things needed for the new partnership. Localisation in the assembly will certainly be an impetus, and the aim is to work towards a fourty percent local parts ratio on the Veedubs made in Pekan – VolksWagen will assist DRB in this localising aspect and help to identify suitable vendors, with everything have to meet the tight quality control that VolksWagen is known for. All this will move towards not just providing VolksWagens for the local market, but for export as well. “Developing the market potential of the Asean region is of major significance for the Volkswagen Group’s long-term growth strategy,” said Christian Klingler, member of the board of management of Volkswagen AG with responsibility for sales and marketing. He added that the Malaysian automobile market in particular, where more than 570,000 vehicles were sold in this year, played an important role in the Group’s strategic planning. “We will be using existing structures and capacities at the DRB Hicom plant in Pekan to systematically extend our presence in the Malaysian market of the future,” Klingler added. Plans are afoot to build further Volkswagen models for the Malaysian market on the basis of a local full scale production in the 2nd expansion phase, from the end of 2012, with the Volkswagen Jetta scaled for then, and it will likely be joined by the Volkswagen Polo. This Completely knocked down assembly will have an initial annual capacity of several thousand vehicles and will be successively increased, and VolksWagen is looking at a figure of around 40,000-50,000 cars built annually, though that will be some time in the future.
Volkswagen Wants Audi Quattro Concept As Production Model
Audi Quattro Concept which was showcased at this year’s Paris Motor Show is being considered as production model by Volkswagen Group. Martin Winterkorn, CEO, Volkswagen Group thinks t would cost the equivalent of $560 million to develop the new body onto an existing RS 5 chassis. He told motortrend, the Quattro with a complete variety of cars with different engines, and a global yearly volume of about 35,000 to remain the price affordable. But he also said that each of the brands in the VW Group has “as much freedom as possible, with as much centralization as necessary,” so brand chiefs can make their own decisions about a lot of things.
The actual idea revealed at the show is engineered to drive at 100 mph, rather than the creaky 30 mph or so ordinary for concepts. Winterkorn says Audi already has many niche models, including the Audi A5 / S5 / RS 5 range, and this new car would clash, even though it is only a two-seater. It has already had serious effort spent on it, and has been in development for some three years. Its mission is to provide a thoroughly modern interpretation of the 1980 Audi Quattro (sold in the U.S. from 1983-’86). That auto was an era-defining machine in its ability to extract astonishing presentation on difficult roads via a combination of four-wheel drive and a turbo engine.
Volkswagen offering lockable sat-nav system abroad
Volkswagen has come up with an unconventional solution for a rash of navigation thefts afflicting Dutch vehicle owners. From wha
t we can gather, thieves are particularly fond of the company's RNS 310 and RNS 510 navigation systems, resulting in an apparent break-in epidemic. To help make the situation under control, Volkswagen is now offering its customers an RNS Navi Lock. The system locks a big metal cover over the entire navigation system, theoretically obscuring the hardware and making it more hard to steal in the process.
When owners are prepared to use their nav screen, they just unlock the plate using a key and go about their business. The scheme is available for the Golf, Volkswagen Passat and CC in Europe, but it's not exactly cheap. Buyers hoping to protect their precious navigation systems can expect to shell out around 219 euro for the armor plating. Pricey? Sure, but it's likely less than the cost of repairing break-in damage and replacing the whole system.
New Volkswagen Touareg by ABT Sportsline
ABT Sportsline has refined the latest version of the Volkswagen Touareg with both visual and performance upgrades. Christian Abt, the General Manager, who is responsible for technical development at ABT
commented: “Since its launch in 2002 the Volkswagen Touareg has been a huge success for us. We have systematically worked on our interpretation of the SUV since then, whereby it is clear, in our opinion, that there should be special emphasis on sport.”
With the 3.0 TDI, ABT POWER provides 282 hp compared to the series standard 240 hp. The ABT POWER S technology even makes 310 HP available, while the torque is increased from 550 Nm to 580 Nm or 610 Nm. For the silky-smooth V8 turbo diesel with its 4.2 litre engine, the power is increased from 340 hp to 385 hp, and torque from 800 Nm to 870 Nm. In Volkswagen Touareg there are three different style alloys in sizes up to a powerful 22 inch version. Exterior is upgraded with a new sporty front grill, rear wing, rear apron and the 4-pipe exhaust unit.
Volkswagen crafts a London Black Taxi for the future
Volkswagen is putting it's own unique spin on a London icon. The VW London Taxi Concept, which is built upon the Up! city car platform, is an electric cab with an estimated range of 186 miles. Though the overall length of 3,730 
millimeters means the Taxi concept is shorter than a VW Fox, its minimal front and rear overhang allow for plenty of room to accommodate the driver and two full-size adult passengers plus luggage.
Inside, the Volkswagen London Taxi Concept features touchscreen displays that provide information on the surrounding area and the route being traveled. Since this is just a concept, it doesn't conform to current London taxi regulations. However, it does provide a glimpse at what the future might hold for emission-free urban transportation choices.
ABT Sportsline refined the latest version of Volkswagen Touareg
ABT Sportsline has refined the latest version of the Volkswagen Touareg with both visual and performance upgrades. Christian Abt, the General Manager, who is responsible for technical development at ABT commented: “Since its launch in 2002 the Volkswagen Touareg has been a huge success for us. We have systematically worked on our interpretation of the SUV since then, whereby it is clear, in our opinion, that there should be special emphasis on sport.”
With the 3.0 TDI, ABT POWER provides 282 hp compared to the series standard 240 hp. The ABT POWER S technology even makes 310 HP available, while the torque is increased from 550 Nm to 580 Nm or 610 Nm. Other most popular Volkswagen cars are: Jetta, New Polo, New Beetle, Passat, Vento and Touareg. For the silky-smooth V8 turbo diesel with its 4.2 litre engine, the power is increased from 340 hp to 385 hp, and torque from 800 Nm to 870 Nm. Three different looks are available in sizes up to a powerful 22 inch version. Exterior is upgraded with a new sporty front grill, rear wing, rear apron and the 4-pipe exhaust unit.
Volkswagen Raises Polo Prices
Volkswagen India has announced an increase in the price of the Polo. Starting January 1, 2011 the will witness a hike starting at 2.9 percent. Consumers, who book the Volkswagen Polo until December 31, 2010, will be able to available the car at the present prices. The Volkswagen Polo was launched in Indian market by Volkswagen India in March 2010 and has already sold more than 17,000 units as of November 2010. Manufactured in Volkswagen’s plant in Chakan, the Volkswagen Polo is the 1st locally made Volkswagen model to be launched by the European automobile major in India.
“We have been faced with constant rise in input cost over the past several months and have tried our best to absorb it. However, in order to continue to maintain our quality standards that our customers expect from us we have had to increase the price of Volkswagen Polo by a small percentage,” Mr. Neeraj Garg, member of Board & Director, Volkswagen Group India said.