Maruti Suzuki may make India export hub

The Indian operations of Maruti Suzuki could see a boost with the company mulling over export of 200,000 cars per annum from Maruti Suzuki India’s assembly line by year 2010-11. Among the cars that would be exported most would be the international model A-Star, sold abroad as Suzuki Alto.

Maruti had exported about 53,000 cars in 2007-08. It now aims higher by setting a 2 lakh target by 2010-11. It has been stated by company top brass that the A-Star model will be exported mainly to Europe and it would be taken to many other markets in the world as well.

Maruti Suzuki had earlier said that its India operations would be made an exclusive base for small cars and exports of these models would happen to the European markets. The A-Star compact, which will be reintroduced as the Alto in Europe, will be the first model for this exercise. India’s dreams of being a manufacturing hub for small cars would partially be realized if Maruti Suzuki goes ahead with its high profile plans. It may be noted that South Korean major Hyundai has already set up India as a small car hub for its small car models Hyundai i10 and the Santro. Many more are said to be toeing the same line.

The country’s largest car manufacturer has also decided that it will introduce the new K-series petrol engine in all its cars within the next five year period. Dubbed as the most advanced engine in Maruti Suzuki stable, it has carbon emission of 109 gm per kilometer. The engine is currently being produced for the A Star model, at its Manesar plant in Haryana. This engine, which is Euro-4 and Euro-5 complaint and highly fuel efficient, is to be sold in Europe.