Japanese small car major Suzuki on Thursday launched its fifth global model small car, which will be launched in India under "A-Star" brand by mid-November this year.

The car, which will be manufactured only at the plant of Suzuki's India subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki, will be exported to Europe as Alto.

"This is our fifth strategic global model and will be exported to Europe as Alto... It has been designed keeping in mind environmental performance, stylish design and convenience of usage targeting young customers," Suzuki Motor Corp Board Member Toshihiro Suzuki said in Paris.

The car would be manufactured at Maruti [Get Quote] Suzuki India's production facility at Manesar.

"This will be launched as A-Star in India but majority of it will be exported as Alto," a MSI official said.

Out of a total of 150,000 units, one lakh would be exported and 50,000 units would be for domestic market, the official said.

A-Star is expected to be priced around Rs 400,000.

The car has been launched with an aim of making India a small car export hub by Suzuki and the company has set an export target of 200,000 units from the country by 2010-11. -- PTI

Image: The Maruti A-Star. | Photograph: AFP/Getty Images