Maruti to push up exports by 2008-09

Asian markets like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore would be the focus countries for driving up exports.

Domestic car market leader Maruti Udyog, which suffered a near 30 per cent decline in exports in 2005-06, has said it will make efforts to push up foreign shipments substantially by 2008-09 to arrest the reversal.

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"By 2008-09, we would like to enhance exports as much as possible," Maruti Chairman S Nakanishi said when asked about the fall in exports.

He attributed the decline to the falling demand of its export model 'Alto' in the European markets. "The demand there has gone down and now we will make an effort to sell the model in other regions where right-hand drive is prevalent," he said.

Nakanishi said Asian markets like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore were countries where Maruti would focus for driving up exports.

Maruti's exports in 2005-06 saw a 28.9 per cent decline at 34,784 units against 48,899 units in 2004-05.

On the company's proposed models in the Indian market, he said Maruti could bank on the 'Swift' platform for that. "We would like to utilise the Swift platform as much as possible," he said.

However, asked whether the company could introduce a sedan version of the popular hatchback, he refused to comment.

Maruti on Thursday announced that it will buyout Suzuki in its joint venture Maruti Suzuki Automobile India Ltd, which is setting up a second car manufacturing facility in Haryana, and will merge the company with itself to synergies operations and management.

The company expects production levels to cross 8,00,000 units by 2008-09, including the capacity from the new facility.