Volkswagen evaluating sub-four-metre saloons

German carmaker Volkswagen is in the midst of planning a compact saloon for India. Fast emerging as one of the most profitable segments to be in, the sales of compact saloons are booming despite the downturn in the market. The Maruti Swift Dzire, for example, even in these difficult times, averages approximately 16,000 cars a month. New entrants to this sub-segment are doing well too. Sales of the new Honda Amaze have steadily been rising. Honda sold a total of 9564 Amazes this month, and the trend is still on the up. 

As a result, putting together the right compact saloon has become priority number one at Volkswagen India, with the engineering and product teams working flat-out to get the right car to the market. 

But what makes for a successful compact saloon? Sure, it’s all about the right price to begin with, but as customers today evolve, there are other essential elements to the cars that are important too. The right amount of space, enough features to excite potential customers and the right powertrain are just some of them.

No wonder then, Volkswagen is pulling out all stops to get things right. Word from inside the company is that the German carmaker, crazy as it may sound, is working not on one car, but two! However, only one car will be finally chosen for production.  Continued..