: Schenker India Pvt. Ltd, part of DB Schenker, the transport and logistics division of the Euro 40.4 billion Deutsche Bahn Group, today announced it would manage aftermarket warehouse operations of Volkswagen Group Sales India in the National Capital Region and Bengaluru.
The company would be responsible for receiving, Binning, Pick, Pack and dispatch operations in the aftermarket spare parts warehouse of VW, Audi, Skoda, Porsche and Lamborghini spare parts and accessories, Schenker India said in a release.
The NCR warehouse of Volkswagen is located at Sultanpur, Gurgaon, spread over 120,000 square feet and the 55,000 square feet Bengaluru facility at Dobaspet.
The distribution centres in NCR and Bangalore cater to dealers of VW, Audi, Skoda, Porsche and Lamborghini across North India, East India and South India, it added.
"The strategic partnership with Volkswagen Group Sales India will create a new chapter in automotive logistics solutions in India," Schenker India Pvt. Ltd Sr Director - Logistics Shrichand Chimnani said.
In January 2015, Volkswagen had announced investment
of 30 million euros on Indian specific diesel engine and tooling.
The localisation of 1.5-litre and 2-litre diesel engines is being done in order to be competitive in India, he added.
Spelling out the company's future strategy, Mayer said: "We see ourselves as the most affordable premium German car brand. This definition limits the circle of size. We are never going to compete with those in top three, four or five (in the overall market)."
Stating that VW is not targeting the entry car market with price range of Rs 2-3.5 lakh, he said: "I don't think we will target that in short term.
"In the long term you can never exclude that but I think there are many more priority tasks for us to develop cars that fit to the aspirations of the aspiring middle class in India rather than those ones catering to the rock bottom value, conscious first time car buyer, who looks for best value for his Rs 3 lakh."
When asked for the target for 2017, Mayer said: "We are targeting double digit growth. I am sure we can expect that to happen."
Last year, the company had sold around 47,000 units in India.
The company is looking for a bigger play in the SUV segment in India as it gears up to launch the premium model Tiguan.
In its biggest product offensive in five years, VW is also bringing back sedan Passat this year to add to the newly launched performance-oriented hatchback GTI as it bids to position itself as a full range "accessible premium car brand" in India.
