News: Audi to produce A6 in India

(BL 19/12/2006) Pune - Autumn 2007 would see another entrant into the four-wheeler category as Audi6 assembly would begin in Aurangabad. The Audi A6 would be assembled from completely knocked down (CKD) kits, manufactured in Germany.

"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 at the Skoda Auto India Ltd site, he said.

He noted that the future employees would be trained in Ingolstadt and prepared for the specific parameters. "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," he said.

Dr Heizmann said 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.