Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. on Tuesday unveiled its concept multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) ‘rIII’ at the Auto Expo here and announced plans to scale up its output to 15 lakh units by 2015 to maintain its leadership position in the domestic car market.
Aimed at creating a new segment, the concept ‘rIII’ will have three rows of seats and designed entirely locally. The elegantly designed MPV will have interiors, particularly dashboard, draw inspiration waterfall. It will cater to the needs of bigger families.
Talking to journalists after opening the pavilion of India’s largest carmaker titled ‘Joys of Life’ here, MSIL Managing Director Shinzo Nakanishi said: “There is a room for creating a new segment in the small MPV. We will be launching the Kizashi premium sedan in India by this year end.”
Mr. Nakanishi also said by 2015 when the Indian car market would cross 30-lakh unit mark, they expected to maintain 50 per cent market share or 15-lakh cars annually. MSIL was mulling doubling the production capacity of its Manesar plant from the current level of 3-lakh units. The company’s board would be meeting at the end of this month to decide on its future expansion plans, he said.
On sales in 2010, he said MSIL would be able to achieve 10 per cent growth this year.
“On an annualised basis, we have grown about 9.5-10 per cent in the last two years,” he added.
