Maruti Suzuki to launch 15 new models in India in the next five years
Suzuki has an aggressive plan that involves launching 20 new models over the course of the next five years, and India is to be an integral part of the plan. President of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Toshihiro Suzuki has confirmed that with the exception of certain cars that are for the Japanese market only, all cars launched over the next five years will make it to India. India is a key market for the company, especially with projected sales figures indicating that by the year 2025, India will be the third-largest car market in the world.
While the products that Suzuki has released into the Indian market in alliance with Maruti have primarily been more customer-centric and less luxury oriented, the focus is gradually shifting. This means that we can expect to move beyond the S-Cross and the Ciaz, to more premium offerings from the manufacturer. And premium offerings might be just the thing, given that Suzuki has set Maruti a sales target of 2 million cars.
The company also plans on investing in order to bolster Maruti's R&D facility in Rohtak, Haryana. While investments to the tune of Rs 2000 crore having already been made, the goal is for the facility to be self sufficient and able to develop cars entirely independently. This means that at some point in the future, Maruti will be able to develop cars for use in the Suzuki range. Turbo petrol engines from Maruti Suzuki will be a reality in the near future and in new models, however, Toshihiro refused to elaborate on whether it will come to the Baleno or not.
And while Suzuki currently is ranked far below Volkswagen, Toyota and General Motors, only producing 3 million cars a year, Suzuki is convinced that India and Maruti together hold the key to the company's future.
Toshihiro Suzuki said that Maruti's position in the company has been growing stronger. While SMC will introduce 20 new cars within the next five years, 15 of these will be coming to India. He also said that the Suzuki wants to continue work on VFM compact products and gradually work its way to B and C segment cars. At this point Suzuki will not be getting into any more collaborations having burnt their hand with the VW venture.