The model to first roll out from Suzuki’s upcoming wholly-owned facility in Gujarat will be the new Celerio hatchback followed by models that have been codenamed YRA and YAD, say sources in the know. The new facility is expected to go on stream towards the end of 2016 or early 2017 and its corporate HQ will be at Maruti’s regional office at Ahmedabad. A production capacity of 2,25,000 units per annum is being envisaged for the plant, according to industry sources.
Launched at the 2014 Auto Expo, the Celerio has got off to a great start with 14,000 bookings, of which 50 percent are for the AMT version. The Celerio currently rolls out from Maruti’s Manesar plant with an initial production capacity believed to be about 60,000 units annually. It is expected to reach peak volumes of 1,00,000 units in 2015.
Along with the Celerio, the YRA compact hatchback will also roll out from Gujarat though its first launch is slated from Manesar in September 2015.
-- Shobha Mathur