Maruti set to ramp up Gurgaon unit capacity

Maruti Udyog will increase the capacity of its new car assembly unit at Manesar (Gurgaon) to three lakh units in the next three-four years.

Similarly, the diesel engine and transmission facility (in the Manesar complex) will be tripled to three lakh units.

The Manesar facility is likely to be commissioned by December. The expansion is being considered after taking into account the production for Nissan models.

"Maruti is expected to produce more than one lakh cars for Nissan in another couple of years. Maruti is going to be a major sourcing hub for Nissan. The understanding with Nissan will significantly increase India's exports," said Jagdish Khattar, managing director and chief executive officer, Maruti Udyog.

It is learnt that Japanese auto maker Nissan will roll out a 1.3-litre, three-cylinder small car as its first made-in-India vehicle to roll out of the Manesar plant.

The maiden Nissan car, according to industry sources, is expected to hit roads in the first quarter of the calendar year 2008. The new small car from Nissan will be used to address both the domestic and export markets.

Earlier this month, the two Japanese auto majors -- Nissan and Suzuki -- announced a global production alliance, which will see Nissan supply mini vans to Suzuki on an OEM basis starting from 2006-end.

Khattar was in Mumbai on Thursday to inaugurate a Maruti showroom -- of one lakh sq ft area -- the largest in India. The showroom, to be managed by SK Wheels, has a capacity to service 150 cars at a time.

This is the twelfth Maruti dealer and fifteenth showroom in the country. Maruti also plans to raise prices of its cars from July 1.

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