Maruti Suzuki becomes the first domestic car manufacturer in India to produce one million (10 lakh) cars within a financial year.
The company rolled out the millionth car manufactured in 2009-10, a glittering red Swift, from its Manesar plant. Shino Nakanishi, MD & CEO, Maruti Suzuki, dedicated the one millionth car to the hardwork and commitment of all Maruti Suzuki employees over the last 26 years.
“Maruti Suzuki will continue to address the country's need for affordable personal transport. India needs affordable commuting solutions across cities, towns and villages. Team Maruti Suzuki stands resolved with me to meet this need of the customers through exciting, contemporary and yet affordable cars,” Nakanishi said.
With this, Maruti Suzuki becomes the first Indian car company to join the likes of Toyota, General Motors, Volkswagen, Ford, Honda, Renault, Hyundai, Suzuki and Nissan that have managed to roll out a million units in a year.
On the occasion, the company also laid the foundation stone for capacity expansion at its Manesar plant by a further 2.5 lakh units annually. With an added investment of Rs 1,700 crore the car manufacturer will scale up the Manesar plant's capacity from 3 lakh units to 5.5 lakh units per annum over the next two years.
At present, Maruti Suzuki's production facilities at Gurgaon and Manesar have annual production capacity of 7 lakh units and 3 lakh units respectively.
Maruti has also announced that it will further invest around Rs 1,250 crore on the expansion of its engine plant which produces the K-series petrol engines. The engine plant will see a capacity growth from the current 2.6 lakh K-series engine units to around 5 lakh engines by the end of 2010.