Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest car manufacturer is planning to develop new car models for the African and Southeast Asian markets at its R&D facility at Rohtak in Haryana. Global markets which will be targeted through these car models will include South Africa, Egypt and Algeria as well as the South East Asian markets including Thailand, Indonesia and Burma.
Suzuki plans to make India its development base for the Southeast Asian and African auto markets instead of Japan as the current developmental center. The decision comes as a result of high wage costs and unfavorable exchange rates in Japan making India a better choice for Suzuki.
The carmaker is also considering setting up car assembly facilities in key global markets with health volumes sales such as South Africa. Maruti Suzuki is already gearing up to become the global small car export hub for Suzuki Motor Corporation with the new upcoming 1,200 acre twin facility being set up in Gujarat.
