Following the purchase of 19.9% of Suzuki, Volkswagen has wasted little time in executing its masterplan. Back then, VW said: “both parties are focused on achieving synergies in the areas of rapidly growing emerging markets as well as in the development and manufacturing of innovative and environmentally friendly compact cars”. Now, VW and Suzuki have revealed that they will be working together on hybrid and electric car projects in India.
The two companies are looking at establishing an R&D centre in the Subcontinent, and it’s likely to be on current Suzuki premises. VW has an arsenal of efficient drivetrains while Suzuki has plenty of small cars in all shapes and sizes. The latter also has a fuel cell programme going on. Will the Volkswagen Up! Lite Concept soon be reality?
It will be interesting to see the fruits of this marriage take shape, and how affordable they can make it to be. Millions of Indians adopting green cars will not only be good for VW and Suzuki, but the rest of the world, as the booming nation is set to be one of the top emitters of greenhouse gases.
Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.
Waa , what a good and excellent kickoff for VW and Suzuki for 2010,
1st project together after VW buy 15% Suzuki stakes. They are ambitous to become no 1.
Hybrids, EVs, and any other alternative energy car is a correct direction..
Once the technologies matual, then we no more suffer when the hike of petrol price…
We are not whole hearted with the Hybrid or EV or else Petronas will have less consumption. Imagine those so call subsidize claim? guess what, when the car demand less petrol, i am sure the G will says, "now we dont need to subsidize anymore" and jacked up the price.
kopi-man said,
December 31, 2009 @ 11:13 am
We are not whole hearted with the Hybrid or EV or else Petronas will have less consumption. Imagine those so call subsidize claim? guess what, when the car demand less petrol, i am sure the G will says, “now we dont need to subsidize anymore” and jacked up the price.
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price will high without subsidy. subsidy not necessary if the demands is small. i dont agree if gov continue to subsidize petrol if majority use electric. i push for gov to subsidize electric instead.
Oi Vdub, we also got 'green' policy here wut.