Audi to use Skoda's facility for luxury cars

NEW DELHI: German luxury car maker Audi is planning to hitch a ride with Skoda on the passage to India. Audi has decided to use Skoda's existing facility in Aurangabad for assembling its luxury cars A4 and A6 in India.
Audi, sources said, will start this assembly activity in India by mid-2007 — around the same time when parent firm Volkswagen will commence assembly of its premium segment car Passat at the same plant in Aurangabad.
"They are all Volkswagen group companies and are looking at saving costs and sharing resources for their India ventures. While Volkswagen will later move into its own facility, Audi is expected to continue at the Skoda unit," a source said.
Volkswagen board member and Skoda Auto chairman Detlef Wittig confirmed that Audi has plans to start vehicle assembly next year, but a location has not yet been finalised. "Audi plans to assemble its cars by the middle of next year," Wittig said.
Sources added, Audi is unlikely to set up a separate manufacturing unit due to expected low volumes.
"Audi cars are targetted at a niche market. Also, we would not like to club Audi’s assembly unit with the new VW facility that's being planned in Pune. So, Audi will use the Skoda facility for assembling its cars in India," a source said.