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Maruti seeks nod to import Grand Vitara

Partha Ghosh in New Delhi

Maruti Udyog, a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, has approached the Foreign Investment Promotion Board seeking permission to import the sports utility vehicle, Grand Vitara.

The company, the largest car manufacturer in the country with a share of around 50 per cent, said it was restricting its imports to only the Vitara. It was not seeking permission to import any other product.

Maruti Udyog managing director Jagdish Khattar said: "We have applied to the government. We are planning to import the Vitara, but the dates of the product's launch cannot be revealed yet."

He added that Maruti would price position the product in keeping with the competition.

So far, Hindustan Motors, the CK Birla group firm, has launched Mitsubishi's Lancer through an import and marketing alliance, while DaimlerChrysler has launched the Mercedes M Class.

But these products come in a higher price bracket. Other carmakers, however, promise to bring in more SUVs in the sub-Rs 20 lakh (Rs 2-million) price segment.

Hyundai, Ford, Honda and Toyota have already announced plans to launch their SUVs in the near future. Hyundai said it is likely to launch the Teraccan some time next year.

Honda has already sought government permission to import and sell the C-RV and Toyota plans to launch the Landcruiser Prado.

The market for SUVs in India is currently small. Hence, it is not likely that these vehicles will be manufactured in the country in the near future.

But, since the government has permitted import of CBUs, carmakers are bringing in these vehicles to create excitement in the market, while catering to the small demand.

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