Volkswagen may use Maruti cars for its own brands

Volkswagen, that acquired 20 per cent stake in Japan based Suzuki Motors (in December last year), had said that it would find Suzuki's expertise in small cars most useful in markets like India, reported a leading media group on Wednesday.

The news further reported that the new alliance may go a long way in the Volkswagen Group's plans of having greater control on the Indian car market. Volkswagen is interested in using Maruti's popular cars in India for its own brands.

The report further says that Volkswagen Group has asked its Indian operations to send proposals on Maruti cars. Where the new Maruti Wagon R and Ritz will possibly be considered for Skoda and Volkswagen brands in India, the Maruti A-Star was claimed to be rejected by Volkswagen for India and other markets as it is seen as being very small. As per the news report, Skoda's proposal includes diesel and CNG variants. The plan also includes possibility of using Maruti's K-series petrol and DDiS diesel engines.

However, there is no announcement, either from Maruti India or from Volkswagen on this potential alliance but Maruti has confirm that Volkswagen has begun examining Maruti's cost-competitive manufacturing and its cars. Volkswagen has recently launched its long awaited compact hatchback Polo in India, which is receiving an overwhelming response from the buyers.