India’s leading car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki India Limited inaugurated its next-generation KB-series engine plant. The new series engine is another significant initiative undertaken by the Company towards offering the latest technology to its customers. The KB-series engine, while fully complying with the prevalent BS III norms, is ready to meet the future emission norms in the country. The Engine meets the Euro V norms for the export model of A Star. The plant has an installed annual capacity of 240,000 engines.
Speaking at the occasion Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director Maruti Suzuki, said, “We are happy to introduce a brand new family of petrol engines for our customers. Maruti Suzuki is the first company to introduce fuel-efficient vehicles in India, way back in 1983 and have continuously improved the technologies over the years. Like all Maruti Suzuki technology, this new engine engine is highly fuel efficient, while offering the best in refinement and performance. It will take the engine technology to the next level in India.
He added: “The new engine series is also an important step towards attaining the target sales of a million units in the domestic market by 2010-11. The operational capacities of our plants have reached the million mark.”
The KB series engine will be mounted on the forthcoming model, A Star, from Maruti Suzuki. After A Star the all new, light-weight, engine series will be progressively introduced on other models as well over a period of next 3-5 years. The new engine will also power the export version of the A Star. The company plans to commence exports of this model in early 2009.
The new engine will be manufactured in the state-of the-art, fully integrated manufacturing facility inside the Gurgaon Plant. Spread over an area of 20,300 m2, the new engine plant is part of the Rs 9,000 Crore investment plan drawn by Maruti Suzuki and Suzuki Motor Corporation announced earlier this year.