The Hindu Business Line : No plans to launch car in sub-800 cc: Maruti

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd has no immediate plans to launch a product in the sub-800 cc segment in the Indian market, but will focus on India playing a greater role in Suzuki’s global operations by producing a third of all Suzuki vehicles globally by 2010.

The company also expects to finalise a location for setting up its pre-delivery inspection centre at a port in Gujarat to facilitate exports of its cars.

“We want to transport vehicles by rail road to the port, and will stop using the Nhava Sheva port for exports once this location is finalised,” Mr Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director of MSIL, said, adding that they expected to have the facility in place by the year end.

Increasing numbers

Though MSIL currently exports 55,000 units a year, this number will see a major increase once manufacture of the A-Star begins at Manesar by the end of the year.

To be manufactured only in India, it is targeted primarily for export to the European market. MSIL expects to export 1,00,000 units of the A-Star under the Suzuki brand, and another 50,000 of them under an arrangement with Nissan, by 2010.

Investment plans

Elaborating upon the company’s investment plans, Mr Nakanishi said that MSIL would invest a total of Rs 9,000 crore in India till 2010.

This includes Rs 2,500 crore in the new diesel engine plant at Manesar, setting up a new assembly line for the A-Star, and enhancing capacity and upgrading the three plants at Gurgaon.

“By 2010, Suzuki corporation will manufacture 3 million vehicles. We want to make one million of these in India,” he added.

‘Wait & see’

Stating that MSIL was committed to launch at least one new model every year till 2010, Mr Nakanishi refused to be drawn into making any comments on meeting the challenge of the Rs 1-lakh car from Tata. While the company has no plans to introduce a sub-800 cc car, it is watching the car with keen interest.

“We will wait and see it,” he said, adding, “If they make a new market, I would say, Congratulations!”

New vehicles

Among the new vehicles to be unveiled at the 9th Auto Expo Delhi 2008 on Wednesday is the A-Star, which has been jointly developed by Japan-based Suzuki Motor Corporation and MSIL.

Pegged as a ‘smart, active, fun-to-drive’ car, among its unique sales pitches is the styling that incorporates Indian designs, including the paisley motif.

Both the exterior and the interior have accentuations in pink.

MSIL is also showcasing the concept Splash, a mid-size compact car as well as the concept Kizashi, a D-segment car at the Expo.

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