KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Volkswagen's ID.4 SUV to be fully imported into India initially
- Local assembly planned in the second phase for economies of scale
- Aims at local electrification by 2026
Volkswagen has officially announced that they will introduce the ID.4 electric SUV in India this year. The vehicle will be brought into the country through the Completely Built Unit (CBU) route, as part of their strategy to assess consumer interest and readiness. Also, you can join our 91Wheels WhatsApp Group for the latest automotive updates.
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Volkswagen's Electrification Strategy Unveiled For India: Three Key Stages
According to Ashish Gupta, the Brand Director at Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, focusing on electric vehicles is a key priority, and they foresee this unfolding in three stages within the country.
First off, they'll introduce select cars from their global lineup, like the ID.4, to gauge how well they fit into the market and assess demand.
Thats a market introduction and testing of the market to see how our portfolio fits, he said.
The second part, through parts and components, involves local assembly for economies of scale and increased volumes. The third part, planned for 2026, is local electrification, as scaling up electrification involves localisation Gupta added.
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Volkswagen ID.4: Details
Volkswagen has been looking into bringing the ID.4 to India since 2020. This electric vehicle comes with different power options, including rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive setups. One variant, called the GTX, boasts 299 horsepower and runs on a 77 kWh battery. Volkswagen claims it can travel up to 480 kilometers on a single charge.
Experts predict that electric cars will make up a significant portion, around 18-30%, of new car sales by the end of this decade. Looking ahead to 2030, it's estimated that approximately 1 million electric vehicles will be sold each year.
Verdict
Volkswagen's phased approach to electrification in India demonstrates a strategic method to gauge market response and adaptability while paving the way for a sustainable automotive future.
Source: ET Auto
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