Volkswagen to raise output at Pune plant by 15% this year

New Delhi: Volkswagen India will increase output at its Pune plant by 15 per cent this year by adding a third shift as it readies itself to cater to enhanced demand from export as well as domestic markets.

In preparation for the increased output from the plant, which can roll out maximum of 1.3 lakh cars annually in a two-shift system, the company has hired around 800 new employees.

"In 2016, we are expecting growth in our domestic as well as export volumes. With the new Ameo, a car that has been specially developed for India, we are expecting a higher demand from the domestic Indian market while we look at supplying more cars to our export markets too," Volkswagen India President and M Andreas Lauermann said in a statement.

In all, the company expects to increase production by around 15 per cent this year as compared to the last one, he added.

Last year the company produced year 1,23,456 cars from the plant, which started production in March 2009.

Commenting on enhancing manpower, Lauermann said: "We have been hiring workforce across levels with varying skill sets. Our production processes demand skilled workers and we have been carefully appointing the right people for the right jobs."

At present, Volkswagen India produces models like Polo, Vento and Skoda Rapid at the plant in Chakan, Pune. Besides, it also assembles the 1.5-litre TDI engine at this plant.

Later this year, the Ameo will be added to the production portfolio on the same line. Volkswagen India has invested around 800 million Euro (around Rs 6,000 crore ) at the plant so far that employees over 4,000 people.