Volkswagen and Tata have agreed to share expertise with the signing of a memorandum of understanding.

Matthias Müller, CEO of Volkswagen AG, Bernhard Maier, CEO of ŠKODA Auto and Günther Butschek, CEO und Managing Director of Tata Motors Ltd., have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which forms the basis for exploring long-term strategic cooperation in clearly-defined fields. The goal of the strategic alliance is to bundle the expertise of both car manufacturers with a view to jointly developing vehicle components and possibly also vehicle concepts.

The contractual framework and the guidelines for a strategic cooperation between the Volkswagen Group and Tata Motors Ltd., who manufacturer Land Rover, Range Rover and Jaguar cars will be examined and defined in detail over the coming months. Until then, the parties have agreed not to disclose any information. However, under the terms of the memorandum, the Volkswagen Group and Tata Motors will explore possibilities for a strategic partnership in India.

In order to share responsibility among the Volkswagen Group brands, ŠKODA Auto is to lead the project. The first step will address topics such as the application of specific market knowledge as well as local development expertise. In the long term, the Volkswagen Group is looking to further expand its product portfolio in the fast-growing emerging markets.

"Our aim with the envisaged strategic partnership with Tata Motors is to lay the foundations in the Group and the brands that will enable us to offer customer-oriented mobility solutions in the emerging, fast-growing automobile markets, as elsewhere. By offering the appropriate products we intend to achieve sustainable and profitable growth in very different parts of the world. That is why we are systematically pursuing our regional growth strategy", Matthias Müller, CEO of Volkswagen AG, commented.

"We are delighted to announce our potential cooperation with Volkswagen Group and ŠKODA. We strongly believe that both the companies, by working together, can leverage from each other's strengths to create synergies and develop smart innovative solutions for the Indian and overseas market. This is in alignment with Tata Motors efforts to make itself 'FutuReady' by embracing new technologies, fostering higher platform efficiency and offering solutions that connect with the aspirations of our customers", Günter Butschek, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Motors Ltd., commented.

"We are looking forward to the joint project with Tata Motors. Delegating project responsibility to ŠKODA underscores the great confidence of the Volkswagen Group in the ability of our brand. Together with Tata we will be specifying the concrete opportunities for collaboration over the coming months", Bernhard Maier, CEO of ŠKODA Auto, stated.