Mul Working On New Car Models

Work has already begun on the new 800 cc car in Japan. The new model is expected to have a more powerful and fuel-efficient engine, new body and styling and a new suspension system. The existing bean-shaped design of the Zen is being considered as an option.

No deadline has been set to finalise the design and start commercial production. The proposed car could be an entirely new model or an overhauled version of the existing 800 cc car.

Maruti Udyog is also planning to incorporate an automatic transmission system in the Zen to compete with DCM Daewoo's Cielo which also has a similar mechanism. At present, the `Esteem' is the only model in the MUL stable that has an auto-transmission system.

 

Meanwhile, Maruti has launched an exercise to assess the design and other requirements to convert the Omni and Gypsy into eight-seaters. It is not clear at this stage whether the existing 800 cc engine can take the enhanced passenger capacity.

The company is currently working on conversion of the 1.3 litre Gypsy and will then consider if the 1 litre Gypsy model can also be converted into an eight-seater.

The conversions have been planned to avail of the excise benefits announced in the latest budget.

The budget has created a new category of vehicles -- seven-seater and above -- which will invite an excise duty of 20 per cent ad valorem as against vehicles with a seating capacity of six or less which will attract excise duty of 40 per cent.