Monday, August 22, 2011
By Pranjal Gera
Maruti plans to enhance R&D capability in India
Maruti Suzuki, the largest car maker in the Indian auto market, has said that it will be enhancing its R&D capability in the Indian auto market very soon. The company plans to enhance the manpower in the R&D facility to 1300 from existing number of 1060.
According to a statement given by a senior official of the company, Maruti’s Japanese parent Suzuki has decided to establish two major independent R&D centers in coming months, one each in Japan and India. The decision has been taken in a bid to pave way for the enhancement of the company’s India center, so that the development time can be decreased in the country.
The company has planned-up a heavy investment of Rs 1700 crore for its Rohtak facility so that the local proving ground can be developed including a vehicle crash test site and wind tunnel. The company will be able to roll-out car faster once a fully independent Indian facility comes-up.
At present, the company is working on a new small car project, which will be fully developed and designed in India. However, the time line of launch of this car and the specification details are yet to be revealed by the company.
Maruti is currently the largest car maker in the Indian market with having a market share of over 50 percent. The company has a stronghold in the small car segment with a range of popular cars in its India portfolio such as Maruti Alto, Maruti A-Star, Maruti Wagon R, etc.
