The Hindu : Suzuki to make India an R & D base

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 21, 2003

Business

Business

Suzuki to make India an R & D base

NEW DELHI MAY 20. Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to make India a base for research and development of new models of cars for the Asian market. This will be the company's second R & D centre in Asia and first outside Japan.

For this, the company has drawn up plans to enhance capacities at its Indian subsidiary Maruti Udyog (MUL). The capacity enhancement will enable Maruti to have a full model change capability by 2006-07.

The R & D Centre in India is likely to help in development of vehicles that run on alternative fuels like CNG and LPG.

The Centre will also play an important role in localisation and development of components, Maruti sources said. The future strategy is to introduce new models with a minimum of 75 per cent localisation level and increase it to at least 90 per cent within three years of introduction of a new model. This will benefit customers with low prices for components and accessories and better after sales service.

Maruti's emphasis on research and development has already resulted in in-house manufacturing of 25 multi-axis robots and 16 multi-spot welders, among others. Small innovations like automated trolleys on the assembly line have reduced wasteful movement of manpower, fatigue and improved productivity.

UNI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Business