<p>India’s largest car producer Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) has announced plans to develop its diesel engine technology and ramp up production of diesel engines. <br /><br /></p>.<p>With a commitment to the country’s small car market, the company believes that diesel technology will help power its small car revolution. <br /><br />The company, which introduced India to its first small car phenomenon - M800 - in the 1980s, has continued to deliver in this segment, which is the most popular part of the car market here. More than a decade later, when diesel engines came to the fore, MSI was quick to integrate them in its cars. <br /><br />Two of its most popular compact cars, Swift and Ritz, were among the first to be fitted with diesel engines, subsequently going on to become bestsellers in the category.<br />Noting that diesel cars will lead the small car revolution, MSI Executive Director (Engineering, Research, Design and Development) C V Raman said that the company already rolls out around 400,000 diesel engines from its Manesar-based manufacturing hub, Suzuki Powertrain India Limited. <br /><br />“MSI is now planning to set up a diesel engine assembly line in Gurgaon with a capacity of 1.5 lakh by September, 2013, and subsequently, ramp the same to 1.5 lakh more by 2014. We are investing around Rs 1,700 crore towards a C Plant at Gurgaon,” Raman said.<br /><br />The company has also invested around Rs 4,000 crore in its upcoming Mehsana facility in Gujarat, which is expected to open its doors in 2016. “We have a portfolio catering to all segments of the car market. By far, our most popular segment has been small cars, a sizeable number of which are popular due to their fuel-efficient diesel engines,” Raman said, hinting that the company may roll out similar cars in the near future.<br /><br />Owing to the Manesar imbroglio, MSI was unable to make it big in terms of production growth in the first half of this year, but Raman said he expects 8-10 per cent growth in the second half, while overall growth over the previous year could be in the region of 3-5 per cent.<br /><br />New Alto<br /><br />MSI on Wednesday launched its latest offering in the small car segment - Maruti Suzuki Alto 800. Though not a diesel vehicle, the new Alto is all set to repeat the spectacular results of its earlier launch over a decade ago.<br /><br />The new Alto 800 sports a 796-cc petrol engine, with a claimed mileage of 22.74 kmpl. Its exterior comprises petal-shaped headlights, jewel-finished tail lamps and ‘wavefront’ design. With new features added to the interior such as a new dashboard, centrally-placed power window controls and a driver’s side airbag, the car is targeted at the youth market, MSI said.<br /><br />The car is available with a CNG engine option as well, and will be priced between Rs 2.55 lakh and Rs 3.11 lakh (ex-showroom Bangalore).<br /><br />“The Alto has continued to be the largest selling model in India, with 3 lakh cars sold every year... for the new Alto 800, we have already received 10,000 bookings prior to its launch,” Raman said, adding that around Rs 470 crore has been invested in research and development of the hatchback.<br /><br />The company is contemplating exporting a left-hand-drive variant of the Alto 800 to markets in Africa, South America, South Asia and the Gulf nations by December this year. </p>
<p>India’s largest car producer Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) has announced plans to develop its diesel engine technology and ramp up production of diesel engines. <br /><br /></p>.<p>With a commitment to the country’s small car market, the company believes that diesel technology will help power its small car revolution. <br /><br />The company, which introduced India to its first small car phenomenon - M800 - in the 1980s, has continued to deliver in this segment, which is the most popular part of the car market here. More than a decade later, when diesel engines came to the fore, MSI was quick to integrate them in its cars. <br /><br />Two of its most popular compact cars, Swift and Ritz, were among the first to be fitted with diesel engines, subsequently going on to become bestsellers in the category.<br />Noting that diesel cars will lead the small car revolution, MSI Executive Director (Engineering, Research, Design and Development) C V Raman said that the company already rolls out around 400,000 diesel engines from its Manesar-based manufacturing hub, Suzuki Powertrain India Limited. <br /><br />“MSI is now planning to set up a diesel engine assembly line in Gurgaon with a capacity of 1.5 lakh by September, 2013, and subsequently, ramp the same to 1.5 lakh more by 2014. We are investing around Rs 1,700 crore towards a C Plant at Gurgaon,” Raman said.<br /><br />The company has also invested around Rs 4,000 crore in its upcoming Mehsana facility in Gujarat, which is expected to open its doors in 2016. “We have a portfolio catering to all segments of the car market. By far, our most popular segment has been small cars, a sizeable number of which are popular due to their fuel-efficient diesel engines,” Raman said, hinting that the company may roll out similar cars in the near future.<br /><br />Owing to the Manesar imbroglio, MSI was unable to make it big in terms of production growth in the first half of this year, but Raman said he expects 8-10 per cent growth in the second half, while overall growth over the previous year could be in the region of 3-5 per cent.<br /><br />New Alto<br /><br />MSI on Wednesday launched its latest offering in the small car segment - Maruti Suzuki Alto 800. Though not a diesel vehicle, the new Alto is all set to repeat the spectacular results of its earlier launch over a decade ago.<br /><br />The new Alto 800 sports a 796-cc petrol engine, with a claimed mileage of 22.74 kmpl. Its exterior comprises petal-shaped headlights, jewel-finished tail lamps and ‘wavefront’ design. With new features added to the interior such as a new dashboard, centrally-placed power window controls and a driver’s side airbag, the car is targeted at the youth market, MSI said.<br /><br />The car is available with a CNG engine option as well, and will be priced between Rs 2.55 lakh and Rs 3.11 lakh (ex-showroom Bangalore).<br /><br />“The Alto has continued to be the largest selling model in India, with 3 lakh cars sold every year... for the new Alto 800, we have already received 10,000 bookings prior to its launch,” Raman said, adding that around Rs 470 crore has been invested in research and development of the hatchback.<br /><br />The company is contemplating exporting a left-hand-drive variant of the Alto 800 to markets in Africa, South America, South Asia and the Gulf nations by December this year. </p>