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Audi starts production in India
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CKD production of the Audi A6 from autumn 2007
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Establishment of a sales company
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Expansion of the dealer network
In autumn 2007, Audi is to start
assembling the Audi A6 for the Indian market in Aurangabad, in
the west of the country. Parts sets manufactured in Germany will
be assembled here using a system known as CKD production (CKD:
Completely Knocked Down). “This move gives us the opportunity to
better fulfil our potential on this market. Through supplying
the parts sets, our locations back in Germany will also
benefit,” commented Dr. Jochem Heizmann, Board Member for
Production at AUDI AG.
Production will take place
in an exclusive part of the SkodaAuto India Ltd. site in
accordance with the quality standards of AUDI AG. Future
employees will be trained in Ingolstadt and prepared for the
specific parameters within which they will work. With this move,
Audi is building on its sales strategy, which involves greater
involvement in new, economically-emerging markets.
As well as CKD production – which
should produce over 300 vehicles in 2008, the first full year –
the creation of a sales company to be based in Mumbai is
scheduled for early 2007.
The India strategy also
envisages an expansion of the dealer network over the next few
years to provide at least eight exclusive Audi dealers in
central locations around the country. At present, the network
comprises three dealers in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi.
“Audi is in the right place at the
right time. India is one of our most important future growth
markets. Our goal is to become the leading prestige brand there
too. By 2010, we plan to achieve vehicle sales of around 3,000
units. That said, the main priority for us is not volume, but
rather a strong brand position and gaining the trust of
customers,” stated Ralph Weyler, Board Member for Marketing and
Sales at AUDI AG. |
