There was a certain positive energy that I could feel while entering the Volkswagen India headquarters at Pune (Chakan) recently. Probably, it had to do with the renewed confidence the VW team is experiencing post the launch of the Ameo. Or maybe it is because of the arrival of the festive season.

Or perhaps, it is the good monsoon that has blessed almost the entire nation this year. Or it could be that the VW team is all geared up with the Ameo diesel version for the festive season. Well, in most likelihood, it is all of the above. But nevertheless, it did feel good.

Dr. Andreas Lauermann, President & Managing Director, Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd. has taken charge about 14-15 months back and he's being a very busy man since then. The ups and downs of the market haven't given him much of a breather and yet he comes across with genuine excitement and enthusiasm.

We first catch a quick glimpse of him while he is ‘judging' the eco-friendly Ganesh makhars (the decorative temples in which the Ganesh Idols are installed at homes during the festival) made by Volkswagen employees.

The makhars on display were made primarily from the scrap from the plant and Dr. Lauermann is assessing them to select a winner. The characteristic German seriousness cannot be missed from his face but you can also see that he is enjoying the creativity while trying to understand the concepts.

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