GAJADHARA (VADODARA): Riding high on the spurt in the passenger car demand, Maruti Suzuki India is expected to double its exports from Mundra port.
The country’s largest car maker, Maruti Suzuki, that witnessed 16 per cent growth in the first seven months last year, is hoping to end the year on a more positive note and export over 1 lakh cars from Gujarat shores.
Maruti has increased the production of Dzire by four times — from 2,000 cars a month to 8,000 and it may touch 10,000 soon. Maruti executive officer (marketing & sales) Mayank Pareek told ET, “Margins are under pressure with precious metal prices going high. We are watching it closely , and as of now, we have not touched the prices. If it goes out of control, we may consider reviewing the product prices.”
He said that the company is expecting to double the export of cars from Mundra. Last year, the company had exported 70,000 units, and this year, 86,000 cars are already being exported . Also, Maruti will increase the R&D engineering’s strength from 700 to 1,000 in coming days.
On Sunday, Chief Minister Narendra Modi along with Maruti Suzuki India MD and CEO Mr Shinzo Nakanishi inaugurated All Gujarat Institute of Driving, Technical Training and Research Centre at Gajadhara village in Waghodia.
It is the fourth such centre by Maruti in India, but first-of-its-kind for tribals in India, and will train candidates from 12 tribal districts of the state in driving, road safety, automobile technical training and even personality development courses free of cost. This is a residential institute with a capacity to train 112 candidates in one course built at a cost of Rs 19 crore. Annually, it plans to train over 1,000 candidates from the tribal belt.
Maruti India MD Mr Nakanishi said, “Market is moving well but not so well. Stimulus and festive season offered good time for the industry, and consumers now can expect something new from us at the upcoming Auto Expo.” He, however, refused to divulge the surprise to be offered at the Auto Expo.
Meanwhile, in his rhetoric style of appeal, Mr Modi said, “I want to give a business advice to Maruti. Why doesn’t Maruti take a lead and start manufacturing plant here. Tatas and General Motors are already making cars in Gujarat. Manufacturing cars in north of India and bringing it to west coast of Gujarat for exports does not sound a viable business proposition.”
When queried on Modi’s appeal, Mr Nakanishi said, “I don’t understand Gujarati , but I understand that the chief minister was expecting some investment. It is rather very difficult to say anything as we already have a large chunk of land for further expansions if needed. Gurgaon has 1.2 million sq meters while Manesar and Rohtak have 2.4 million sq meters each."
Source : The Economic Times