VW Dealership in Goa, India

[Beetle Mania Goa]

Goa, the smallest state on the west coast of India is but a mere dot on the map was a Portuguese colony from 1510 to December 1961. The Portuguese rule lasted for about 450 years, and heavily influenced Goan culture, cuisine, and architecture. Goa was abundant with imported vehicles, motorcycles and had more than 30 different importers and dealers for cars before liberation. Vehicle imports usually landed on Goan shores. However in Goa, car’s still drove on the left hand side of the road and dealer imported cars were generally right hand drive, most left hand drive cars were direct imports by the respective owners but there was no hard & fast rule on owning RHD or LHD cars. Thanks to my friend Milind Angle who provided this information, one of the very few automotive historians in Goa.

Dr. Robert Hepp, a German physician who arrived in Goa after World War II, imported a Volkswagen Beetle around 1954-55. Following this, he established a dealership in Panaji, where the Volkswagen brand—especially the Beetle—gained significant popularity among the Goan community. Hepp in fact faced a lot of problems while trying to put the car out into the market. Goa was a small place after all and one could count the number of people who bought this car on your fingers. Hepp literally had to move from one place to another with brochures about the car. However a year later, the car clicked with the locals, and began selling like hot cakes.

According to my late friend Avelar Barretto, a Volkswagen fanatic and customizer/restorer in Goa, "Volkswagens were highly reliable for their time, known for their robust build quality and versatility. The German brand quickly became a bestseller in Goa, with nearly 1,000 units sold. The majority were Beetles and Type 2 vans, along with a few Karmann Ghias and 1600s."

Do share your stories if you’ve visited, lived or are from beautiful Goa.