Suzuki and Maruti Team up on Compact, Low-Emission Hatchback

Suzuki Motor Corp and Maruti, India's largest car maker have a new compact hatchback that they want manufactured in India and sold all over the world.

It's part of Suzuki's plant to make India the company's export hub.

Suzuki also wants to keep its majority share in the Indian market.

Suzuki has a a 54% stake in Maruti which has a 54% market share in India.

"Our next world car will be made in India," says Suzuki's CEO.

Production is slated to begin in the fall of 2008.

The car will be a one-liter car that:

1. meets stringent pollution control rules

2. keeps carbon emissions lower than European cars.

3. is cheap….price has not been disclosed.

The car is code named – A-Star.

The JV hopes to make 150,000 cars a year, one third to be exported.

The car is also unique in that Maruti Suzuki's R & D division in India has been involved from the getgo.

Suzuki is sure to win/keep many friends in India by involving the country in this venture, no?

Do you think India and the Japanese carmaker can come up with a car the world will want?

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Suzuki's Compact, Low-Emission Hatchback – made in India for the World