Suzuki set to meet Modi to finalise Maruti plant

Osamu Suzuki, chairman, Suzuki Motor Corporation, is likely to meet Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to finalise plans to set up a manufacturing plant for Maruti Suzuki India.

According to sources, Suzuki will meet Modi in Gandhinagar after attending the company's annual general meeting. He will be accompanied by Chairman R C Bhargava, Managing Director Shinzo Nakanishi and Production Head M M Singh.

Earlier in May, MSI had said the company and its vendors, could invest up to Rs 18,000 crore (Rs 180 billion) in Gujarat as it looks to produce about 200,000 units in the state.

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Although the company has said Gujarat will be a strong possibility for its next plant, the source said as it is as good as finalised. The company will seek about 1,000 acres from the state government for its next plant, sources said.

The company has already invested in developing infrastructure at Mundra port from where it exports A-star to Europe.

Maruti Suzuki's move to look for a location in Gujarat comes at a time when it is looking to have a market share of 50 per cent in the Indian passenger vehicle segment, which is expected to be 4.5 million-5 million units per annum by 2015.

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The company has recently started partial production at its second unit at its Manesar plant while the third unit is being set up.

By 2012-13, the company will have a total capacity of 1.75 million units per annum from its Manesar and Gurgoan facilities put together.

The company has a medium term investment plan of Rs 6,000 crore (Rs 60 billion) in Haryana for adding additional capacity at the Manesar facility, including expansion of engine production and development of a test course in Rohtak.