Volkswagen AG, or VW AG, is a prominent automobile manufacturer based in Wolfsburg, Germany, and is the backbone of the Volkswagen Group, which ranks as the fourth-largest car producer in the world, trailing behind Toyota, GM, and Ford. The name “Volkswagen” translates to “people’s car” in German. The company’s slogan, “Volkswagen – Das Auto,” means “Volkswagen – The Car,” while its former tagline, “Aus Liebe zum Automobil,” can be translated as “For Love of the Automobile.”
Founded on May 28, 1937, under the name “Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH,” the company was renamed to “Volkswagenwerk GmbH” on September 16, 1938. Construction of the Volkswagenwerk plant began in early 1938 in Wolfsburg, where Ferdinand Porsche’s first vehicle design would be produced.
Volkswagen made its debut in the Indian market in 2007. The parent company, Volkswagen Group India, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG. Volkswagen India’s manufacturing plant is located in Chakan, Pune, with an annual production capacity of 2 lakh units. This facility produces models such as the Polo, Taigun, and Vento. In addition, the Tiguan is sold in India, with its assembly taking place at the SAVWIPL plant in Aurangabad, alongside other Volkswagen models.
Volkswagen also has a motorsport division in India, known as Volkswagen Motorsport India, which was established in 2009. The division organizes the annual One-make racing championship at the national level. Initially launched as the Polo Cup, the series was later renamed Vento Cup, and it is currently run as the Polo Cup.
