The country’s largest carmaker may invest Rs1,500 crore and is in the process of identifying potential sites in state.
Your favourite Maruti cars could soon roll out of a plant near you, as Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, scouts for land for a plant in Gujarat, said informed sources in Gujarat government.
Officials said that Maruti Suzuki could invest around Rs1,500 crore in Gujarat. The investment will be for setting up the main car manufacturing unit and other ancillary units. The company will require around 250 - 300 acre land for setting up its plant.
“Maruti Suzuki has approached the state government seeking help to identify potential sites for its proposed plant, but nothing has been finalised yet. We learn that besides Gujarat, the company is also evaluating other options,” said a senior government official, requesting anonymity.
A Maruti Suzuki spokesperson refused to comment. Government sources said that Sanand, where Tata Nano plant is located, and Halol, home to manufacturing plant of General Motors (GM), are among the sites the company is considering.
“Maruti Suzuki coming to Gujarat could be a vital event in making the state an automobile manufacturing hub. Already, GM and Tata Motors have their manufacturing plants in Gujarat. Ford is another leading automobile company which has Gujarat in its sights for a manufacturing plant,” said an official.
Minister of state for industries, Saurabh Patel, could not be reached despite several attempts.
Sources also said that Maruti Suzuki officials have visited Gujarat a few times in recent months to identify potential sites for its plant.
"They have been shown a few sites. They will identify the best sites according to their requirement and get back to us," said officials.
Maruti Suzuki is the country's largest carmaker, accounting for more than half of the total cars sold. The company has the capacity to produce 12 lakh cars a year, which is likely to go up to 17 lakh units in two years with completion of its plant in Manesar in Haryana. Maruti Suzuki sold 12.71 lakh cars in 2010-11, 25% higher than the previous year.
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