Last year, the news of Volkswagen working with DRB-Hicom to locally assemble VW models got many excited. Back then, they said that three models were earmarked for CKD assembly at DRB’s Pekan plant, and production will start from 2012 onwards. We’re nearer to that date now, and it has been revealed that things are right on schedule.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, at a breaking of fast function with DRB-Hicom employees, said that the Pekan plant will start assembling Volkswagens starting in October or November, and the initial batch will be 200 units.
“The first batch from the Pekan plant will test the response of the local market for the model, a number of which, according to plans, will be exported to Asean countries,” he told the crowd at the Sri Maulana Mosque in Pekan, which included DRB-Hicom MD Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil. Najib is the MP for Pekan.
It is understood that the first batch mentioned will be the D-segment VW Passat, which should be officially launched early next year. The next model is likely to be the Jetta, which is a sedan variant of the Golf. The Polo Sedan, a.k.a. Vento in some markets, has also been spotted testing here.
There’s a huge appetite for more affordable Volkswagens, and the launch of the CKD models are highly anticipated. How much do you think they’ll cost?
But before all that, Volkswagen is all set to launch the Polo GTI, which has already been spotted in KL. It’ll happen this week in Sepang, as hinted by VW’s Scirocco R Cup ad captured above. Stay tuned!
