Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) will launch a new van by the end of FY 2008-09 to replace its multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the Maruti Versa. The company has already stopped producing the Versa. Maruti’s Managing Executive Officer (Engineering), Mr IV Rao, told mediapersons that a new van would replace the Versa by the end of this financial year, but did not elaborate on its specifications and pricing. He also said that the company would be producing one million units annually by the end of this fiscal, by utilising its full production capacity.
Meanwhile, the upgradation of Maruti’s cars to make them BS-IV compliant is on track. In addition, the company is developing electric and hybrid demo vehicles. These alternative-fuel cars, however, will not be launched anytime soon in the country, possibly because of infrastructure-related issues.