2021 Volkswagen Polo Might Launch In India
The Volkswagen Polo has sold for over a decade in its present form on our market, but the hatchback may be a big upgrade. Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India has reported in an interview that the company is considering a 2021 Volkswagen Polo.
While the 5th generation model is still on sale in India, the 6th generation Polo was unveiled in 2017 in global markets. The 2021 Volkswagen Polo is built on the MQB A0 architectural design, which is located on the old model, the so-called MQB A0 IN, and applies to goods such as the Volkswagen Taigun. Unlike its ancestor, it is based on the old platform PQ25. This will then be the best chance for VW India at introducing a 2021 Volkswagen Polo. “MQB A0 IN is highly suitable for items such as the Polo hatchback,” Gupta said.
However, the 2021 Volkswagen Polo measures with an international-spec length of 4,053mm have to be reduced to under 4 meters in order for the model to be competitive in price. “To get it into India and to comply with the sub-4-meter tax laws here needs a lot of customization,” said Gupta. He adds, however, “It is certainly possible, but the MQB A0 IN platform is an alternative.”
“Polo was a product for us that was very important. This is also at the heart of our Indian position,” said the head of the VW team. However, he noted that market demand has changed recently. “In the future, you could see a trend that definitely moves towards SUVs in consumer choice. So we positioned ourselves in that spot.”
The hatchback segment is not at the top of the new focus list of VW, a step close to many other car manufacturers on our market. “I want to reflect on that first at this stage, as we search for a robust portfolio through our ‘SUVW’ strategy,” Gupta said. This year, VW is preparing for its four-model SUV battle. It also indicates a substitute for the aging Vento sedan by the end of 2021.
The chief business manager further commented, “With our approach, which I am sure offers a world of opportunities, once we develop ourselves and are competitive. With its work done, for now, it is expected to take another two-three years to deliver an improved Polo on our market, and the sixth gene model is therefore well into the product life cycle. We have our vast range of products worldwide and, if the price points are correct and it is an affordable business case for us then why not.” As such, VW India is expecting the only Polo of the seventh generation to be revealed.
It could come at a cost to construct the 2021 Volkswagen Polo on the MQB A0 IN platform and to adapt it to a length of under four meters. “Of course this is the challenge. We want to cater to the demand and expand our sizes, at the end of the day, but we must see if it still makes a business case for us,” said Gupta.
Nevertheless, recent trends could work towards VW in the premium hatch market. “The fact that prices in this segment did rise in this year has helped us. The next generation goods were introduced with substantially higher prices than those in this market, which helps the business case,” the VW manager said.
The current polo is priced at Rs 6.17-10,00 lakhs, with the rivals of the Maruti Baleno in the ranges Rs 5.90-9.10 lakh, Rs 5.70-9.46 lakh Tata Altroz and Rs 7.55-9.79 lakh Honda Jazz. However, the model is now priced at Rs 6.80-10.75 lakh and is upgraded to i20 last year. While the Korean automaker has received a substantial premium, the latest i20 showed a positive response with an average monthly sales of approximately 8,600 units. With the segment’s price limits moved higher, VW could only have sufficient space to enter the next Polo.
