Maruti shuts down petrol car production lines for three days
Sky-high prices of petrol has resulted in many manufacturers offering huge discounts on their gasoline powered cars, however, India's largest car maker, Maruti Suzuki has cut down the production of their petrol-only Wagon-R, A-Star, Eeco and Alto. This has been going on from the past three days and has affected about eight per cent of its monthly capacity. The production cut is apparently to clear the piling petrol car inventory at the dealers stockyard. The company will close production lines in its Gurgaon plant probably towards the end of this month for regular maintenance.
Currently Maruti is offering huge discounts (Rs 30,000) on the largest selling car model in India â€" the Alto. The A-Star, WagonR and Estilo have discounts ranging between Rs 18,000-22,000. According to Firstpost, Mayank Pareek, managing executive officer (sales and marketing) said that the company will have to moderate production of petrol cars but did not specify by how much. The unprecedented increase in petrol prices meant first-time buyers will likely postpone purchases and those who can afford diesel vehicles would look for a diesel car to buy. Either way, sales of petrol cars would suffer.
Other than Maruti, Hyundai and Ford are also offering big discounts on their petrol cars.