VW has set up an R&D team to work on, and improve, the Polo in India. The Indian engineers will continue to ‘Indianize’ the Polo to ensure that it’s better suited for Indian buyers. Improvement will come in the form of better fuel economy, additional features, more capable powertrains, etc.

	On the Polo TSI model The turbocharged petrol Polo is not ruled out for India as some others claim. VW’s priority now is to clear backlogs for their existing variants and settle into a comfortable position that will allow them to introduce more powerful variants and cars.
	On the Vento sedan The booted Polo is exclusive to the Indian and Russian markets. In India, however, the interiors – especially the rear seats – will have differences. Indians are fond of the backseat, and VW has made its rear seats more comfortable and roomy. The addition of the rear AC vent is also going to win praises. Factors like ground clearance, and an engine tuned for lower quality fuel is the usual procedure. Plus, the horn will last five times longer!
	On the 2011 VW Jetta VW is working to bring the 2011 Jetta to the Indian market very soon. It could be here by June 2011 with fuel efficient diesel and petrol engines. The Jetta has been comprehensively refreshed, and the design DNA of the Polo is present on this bigger VW. Expect more features and comfort on the incoming model.
	On the VW Tiguan Despite the runaway success of the Toyota Fortuner, and BMW firming up plans for the much anticipated X1, VW isn’t willing to go down that road any time soon. The Tiguan cannot be brought into India as a CBU due to high duties. The company’s analysis suggest that the CKD option isn’t viable either. And the expected volumes don’t justify local manufacturing, so the Tiguan is shelved for the moment.
	On VW’s small car, to be positioned below the Polo The cheapest VW, according to industry sources, will be named ‘Lupo,’ and is heading to Europe by the end of 2011. The Lupo is based on the Up! concept car, and could premiere in India during the same time with a 1.0 litre petrol, and the 1.2-litre diesel engine from Polo. VW will not lock horns with the Tata Nano as quality and safety factors do not permit them to build a car for that segment – the Suzuki Alto instead will be on their radar for their next small car.
On the VW-Suzuki partnership Given Suzuki’s strength with small cars in Asia, and VW’s expertise in the field of engines and market presence in the West, the mix could be deadly. As far as India is concerned, both companies are studying options, and they are bound to share engines and platforms in the future. VW is pulling no punches on the dealership front. It senses both brands should be sold independently and sharing of dealership space is not in the offing. On the VW Caddy Media reports in India have brought up the Caddy several times, reporting that the company is interested in introducing this MPV for the taxi market. VW expressed no interest in bringing the Caddy to India due to lack of market visibility.
	On the VW Golf A car that defines what the brand stands for, the Golf is one of the world’s most sought after hatchbacks. In India, customers prefer buying a sedan beyond a particular price point, and this proverbial cut-off is exactly where the Golf finds itself positioned. The Golf doesn’t really make sense for India where you can buy well-furnished sedans and MPVs for the same price.

For VW to make a mark in India, it should focus on introducing cars that have unmistakable VW traits, which have served them so well across the globe. VW shouldn’t focus on merely building cars that would be perceived as good alternatives to Hyundai’s, Tata’s or Maruti’s. VW can have a great run in India if they can keep building cars like the Polo and the Vento, which are very well built, driver centric, and stylish. I can’t wait to see what their next small car will be like. And could there be VW chromosomes in a Suzuki Alto counterpart? Guess we’ll have to wait and see! Maruti’s. VW can have a great run in India if they can keep building cars like the Polo and the Vento, which are very well built, driver centric, and stylish. I can’t wait to see what their next small car will be like. And could there be VW chromosomes in a Suzuki Alto counterpart? Guess we’ll have to wait and see!