Maruti Suzuki manufactures 10 lakh units in 2009-10

Maruti Suzuki India Limited has joined a select club of global automobile makers, when it became the first automobile company in India to produce one million (10 lakh) cars in a year.

The millionth car manufactured in 2009-10, a glistening red Maruti Suzuki Swift, rolled out from the company's Manesar plant, in the presence of Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister, Haryana and Vilasrao Deshmukh, Union Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises. Amongst the dignitaries who graced the occasion was Mr. Hideaki Domichi, Ambassador of Japan to India. Mr. Osamu Suzuki, Chairman and CEO, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan joined the company's senior management at the occasion. Senior officials of Central and State government and company's business associates were also present at the ceremony.

Taking forward its commitment to serve its customers better and faster, the car major also set the foundation stone for capacity expansion at its Manesar plant by 2.5 lakh units annually. This initiative will help the company scale up the Manesar plant's capacity from 300,000 units per annum to 550,000 units per annum over the next two years.

Maruti Suzuki will invest about Rs 1,700 Crore (ie Rs 17,000 million) for this expansion.

Maruti Suzuki's present production facilities are located at Gurgaon with a capacity of 7 lakh (0.7 million) units and Manesar with capacity of 3 lakh (0.3 million) units.

On the occasion, Maruti Suzuki Chairman, R C Bhargava said, "The landmark attained by Maruti Suzuki fully establishes the validity of the late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi's vision when she decided to create Maruti Udyog. This vision has been fulfilled because of outstanding entrepreneurship of Mr O Suzuki, the excellent cooperation which existed between the Government of India and Suzuki Motor Corporation, and the enormous dedication, hardwork and commitment of all Marut Suzuki employees over the last more than 26 years.

The future beckons and Maruti Suzuki will not be found wanting."

Dedicating the one millionth car to Maruti Suzuki employees, Shinzo Nakanishi, CEO and Managing Director, Maruti Suzuki said, "Maruti Suzuki will continue to address the country's need for affordable personal transport. India needs affordable commuting solutions across its cities, towns and villages. Team Maruti

Suzuki stands resolved with me to meet this need of the customers through exciting, contemporary and yet affordable cars. This belief is the cornerstone of the Maruti Suzuki's business philosophy and derives inspiration from Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, our parent and global leader in compact cars."