Volkswagen India has announced the launch of the Autofest Mega Exchange Carnival 2024, a unique event offering customers an unparalleled opportunity to upgrade to a new Volkswagen vehicle. The carnival, running from July 3rd to July 20th, 2024, promises a range of enticing deals and offers, making it an ideal time for car owners to trade in their old vehicles for a Volkswagen.
In tandem with the carnival, Volkswagen India is also rebranding its pre-owned car business from ‘Das WeltAuto.’ to ‘Volkswagen Certified Pre-Owned’. This strategic move is designed to strengthen the pre-owned segment by leveraging the global reputation and trust associated with the Volkswagen brand. The rebranding aims to enhance the visibility and value of Volkswagen’s pre-owned car program in the Indian market, reinforcing the company’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
A New Chapter in Pre-Owned Car Business
The newly rebranded ‘Volkswagen Certified Pre-Owned’ continues to uphold the brand’s tradition of providing high-quality, reliable vehicles. The rebranding initiative includes a comprehensive inspection process and warranty coverage, ensuring that customers receive vehicles that meet Volkswagen’s stringent standards.
To mark the launch, Volkswagen inaugurated its first ‘Volkswagen Certified Pre-Owned’ showroom in Coimbatore. This showroom is the first of many as the brand plans to expand its footprint across the country. The goal is to offer a seamless, fully digitized customer journey, making the purchase and ownership experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Remarkable Growth in the Pre-Owned Segment
Volkswagen’s pre-owned car business has seen a phenomenal 10-fold growth in volume over the past five years, establishing itself as a leader in the market. The rebranding to ‘Volkswagen Certified Pre-Owned’ is expected to further drive this growth, particularly as demand for pre-owned vehicles continues to rise.
Ashish Gupta, Brand Director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, highlighted the significance of the carnival and the rebranding initiative. “Today, we are delighted to announce the start of the Autofest Mega Exchange Carnival that will give customers a chance to upgrade to a new Volkswagen car. With Autofest, customers can avail exciting deals and offers that are available for a limited time period. As we continue to holistically focus on the Indian car market, we are also focusing on offering customers strong residual value in their new Volkswagen cars,” he stated.
He further added, “Rebranding our used car business aligns with the global positioning of this business vertical for the brand, while also emphasizing the trust that the Volkswagen name commands. This move will help us better serve the growing demand for pre-owned vehicles, providing customers with high-quality, certified cars they can rely on. We have already witnessed strong demand during the first half of this year and we expect this momentum to grow stronger during the festive season.”
Rising Demand for Pre-Owned Vehicles
The shift towards pre-owned vehicles is driven by consumers seeking aspirational cars at more accessible price points. Volkswagen’s used car business, previously under the ‘Das WeltAuto.’ brand, has recorded a significant increase in volumes, with a 12 percent growth in retail sales last year. This trend has continued into the first half of 2024, with tier 2 towns contributing significantly to the rising demand.
The recently launched 6th Edition of Indian Blue Book highlighted the Volkswagen Taigun’s impressive residual value, exceeding 81% after two years since sale, underscoring the strong resale performance of Volkswagen vehicles.
Currently, Volkswagen India operates 139 touchpoints for trading certified pre-owned cars across the country, with 36 dedicated exclusive outlets. The company plans to further expand this network in a phased manner by March 2025, ensuring greater accessibility and convenience for customers nationwide.
The Autofest Mega Exchange Carnival 2024 and the rebranding to ‘Volkswagen Certified Pre-Owned’ mark a significant milestone for Volkswagen India. These initiatives not only offer customers exciting opportunities to upgrade to a new Volkswagen but also reinforce the brand’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction in the pre-owned car market. With strong growth trends and strategic expansions, Volkswagen India is poised to continue its leadership in both new and pre-owned car segments.
