Volkswagen Ameo Could Be Pulled Off the Production Line by 2020

Being a sub-4-metre sedan based on the Polo hatchback, the Ameo was launched in June 2016. Its main purpose was to boost the sales of auto manufacture since the sub-4-metre sedan segment in India is very demanding and attracts a large number of auto customers.

Available sub-4-metre sedans India consist of Mahindra Verito, Tata Zest, VW Ameo, Ford Aspire, Tata Tigor, Hyundai Xcent, Honda Amaze, Maruti Dzire, which recorded a total sale of around 4.4 lakh units in 2018. The total sales of the Indian car industry were 32 lakh units last year. This means that out of 7 cars sold in India in 2018, one was a sub -4-metre sedan.

Despite belonging to ones of the most demanding segments, the Volkswagen Ameo failed to record a good sales figure in 2018. In the 4.4 lakh units of sub-4-metre sedans sold last year, only 10,429 units of the Ameo were sold. Below is a table which shows the sales of the top 6 sub-4-metre sedans in details.

The Ameo witnessed a disappointing performance last year with only 10,429 units sold

[Image source: RushLane]

In comparison with 2017, the sales figure of the Ameo sedan in 2018 decreased by 40%. In the meanwhile, the Indian sub-4-metre recorded a sales growth of 14%. To make matters worse, the Ameo partially reduces the sales of similar products like the Vento and the Polo in India. The first position continues to be held by the Maruti Dzire whereas the Honda Amaze was a big surprise when climbing to the second position, thanks to the recently launched generation.

While the total sale of the Indian sub-4-metre sedan segment increased, those of the Ameo decreased by 40%

Also read - Next-Gen Volkswagen Vento, Polo, Ameo And Skoda Rapid To Be Launched In India

Head of Volkswagen Group India, Mr Gurpratap Boparai, stated,

“We will not do any products like the Ameo. The Sub-4 metre sedan is a very, very tricky product. It works only when the hatch that it’s based on is significantly below 4 metres (in length), otherwise, the aesthetics of the car won’t work.”

While other Volkswagen products are designed for aesthetics, space, versatility, passengers’ comfort, the Ameo was developed mainly to meet the size criteria (sub-4-metre in length). “Nobody makes a global car to fit a length,” commented Mr Boparai. VW may discontinue the production of sub-4-metre sedans in India with the end of the Ameo but has no intention of exiting from the sub-4-metre SUVs and hatchbacks.

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