From what ‘Economic Times’ reports, Maruti-Suzuki and Volkswagen India are looking forward to a venture for joint development of technologies, products and infrastructure in the months to come. Jeorge Muller, chief representative of the VW group in India, told TOI that VW is in talks with Maruti over subjects like joint strategies and feasible partnerships that could help both the brands secure their positions in the Indian market. Furthermore, he confirmed that there have been several occasions where VW officials from India and abroad have made trips to the Maruti-Suzuki plants and vice versa.
These talks have emerged within months of VW having bought a near 20% stake in Suzuki – Maruti’s Japanese parent. These talks hence highlight the fact that VW is primarily interested in making use of Maruti-Suzuki’s stronghold in the Indian market. The new joint partnership may help VW gain easy and quick access to Maruti’s large OEM base. Maruti in turn could gain in form of new diesel engines for their vehicles from VW. For all we know, the new Swift diesel could be powered with a 1.2 TDI for India!