Concept ‘A-star’ to be made in India
Suzuki has been very aggressive nowadays, it surprises everyone when it showcased its Kizashi-1(Honda’s civic competetior) and Kizashi-2. In Tokyo motor show , Suzuki exhibited a wide reange of products – PIXY, xhead and ssc. Suzuki’s largest market – India will receive most of these concepts soon but what is going to be more exciting for Indian customers is Concept ‘A-star’. Maruti and Suzuki is jointly developing the concept car. For the first time in the history of Indian Auto Industry, an international carmaker will be using the New Delhi Auto Expo for the global laun ch of its concept car. The concept ‘A-star’ will be shown at other shows after the Indian exhibition. Few years ago Maruti engineers worked with the Suzuki counterparts and designed the Swift which later went on to become Suzuki’s grand success. Suzuki wishes to repeat the same for the concept ‘A-star’. A-star will be manufactured by Maruti Suzuki at its Indian plant and will be exported to western markets. Concept A-star will satisfy the thirst of both european and indian customers. Production version of A-star will be a premium hatchback and will hit the market in 2009. The car is likely to carry 1.2 litre to 1.6 litre engine and will be available in both petrol and diesel versions.
Maruti Suzuki – Nissan JV:
Maruti will produce 2lakh units of production version of concept ‘A-star’. Under The existing agreement between Suzuki and Nissan will begin with Suzuki supplying 50,000 units per annum (p/a) of a new small car model from the fiscal year beginning 1 April 2008. Hence 50,000 units of this new small car will bear the Nissan badge, another 100,000 units will be exported under the Suzuki brand for global markets and the remaining 50,000 units will be sold in Indian market under a joint Maruti-Suzuki brand.
India in global radar:
Recently, Hyundai made its world premiere for in india. Renault is building a India specific low cost car in alliance with bajaj. In 2009, Honda will launch its compact small car designed and manufactured in India. Volkswagen ‘up’ concept will target asian markets. Really,India is in the radar of Global automakers not just for selling thier car but also for producing them. What’s more interesting is all these cars will be exported to western markets including america. Indian engineers and other technicans are making us to stand tall in global arena. Chak de India!