Date:27/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/27/stories/2008122756161400.htm

Business

Maruti starts exporting A-Star to Europe

Special Correspondent

First consignment despatched to Mundra Port from Gurgaon

The car will be sold under Suzuki Alto brand
Railways has developed two auto-wagon rakes

EXPORT EFFORT: Maruti Suzuki A-Star cars ready to be loaded in a doubledecker goods train at Gurgaon railway station on Friday. The cars are bound for Mundra Port from where they will be shipped to Europe. - PHOTO: PTI

NEW DELHI: Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) on Friday said it has started exporting the newly-launched compact car, A-Star, Suzuki’s world-strategic model, taking a historic step towards making India an export hub of small cars.

The first consignment of A-star for export has been despatched in specially designed auto-wagon rakes from Gurgaon railway station, located close to its manufacturing facility at Manesar, for Mundra port in Gujarat, from where it would be shipped to Europe.

According to MSIL Managing Executive Officer (Production) M. M. Singh, “The despatch of first consignment of A-Star from Gurgaon is a quantum leap for Maruti Suzuki towards the company’s future as a small car manufacturing hub for Suzuki Japan.”

MSIL has signed a long-term agreement with Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone Limited (MPSEZL) and invested in developing the new port and dedicated car handling facility at Mundra port.

“Majority of the export from India would comprise the newly launched A-Star and sold under Suzuki Alto brand in the European market,” Mr. Singh added.

MSIL had set a target of exporting one lakh units of A-Star annually as part of its programme to export a total of two lakh units by 2010-11. Suzuki has chosen India as an exclusive base for manufacturing and export of A-Star to major European markets.

Taking about the auto-wagons, Mr. Singh said it would add up to Maruti Suzuki’s capacity to handle large-scale transportation of cars.

“We intend to use auto-wagon rakes for transportation of A-star and other models to Mundra port as well as other destinations for the domestic market,” he added.

Indian Railways has developed two auto-wagon rakes, each consisting of 45 wagons.

Each wagon is a double deck covered structure, built on container flat deck carriage and has a capacity of six compact cars. A railway rake, with 45 such bogies, has a total capacity of 270 cars.