India's largest auto maker, Maruti Suzuki, is looking forward to increase the number of CNG cars in its fleet, which currently stands at 5 passenger cars. This step would help the car manufacturer to expand its CNG options, which currently comprises popular compact cars like Alto, WagonR and Estilo, multi-purpose van Eeco, and sedan SX4.
In the Sustainability Report for 2010-11, R C Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI), said, "The five models with CNG option launched by Maruti Suzuki have been received well by customers in areas where the fuel is available. We plan to launch more vehicles with the CNG option." However, he did not divulge any more details like the names of potential models that will bear the CNG kit or the expected time when the vehicles will be launched.
According to him, the auto industry needs the support of the government to ensure the success of environment friendly vehicles running on alternate fuels. He said "Government support is required to make CNG available across the country. Adequate CNG needs to be allocated for automotive use."
Apart from CNG-powered cars, MSI is reportedly also working towards developing affordable hybrid and electric vehicles for Indian buyers. The Sustainability Report said "Maruti Suzuki engineers are working towards finding cost effective solutions in hybrid electric vehicle and electric vehicle development for Indian customers' needs."
In this regard, Managing Director and CEO of MSI, Shinzo Nakanishi commented that the car maker has tasted success while working with hybrid and electrical vehicle technologies. In fact, the company plied hybrid SX4 cars in India last year, when the Commonwealth Games were held in New Delhi, India. According to Nakanishi, this hybrid version of the popular sedan delivered 25 per cent better fuel efficiency than conventional petrol vehicles.
Nakanishi commented that the company has cut down its CO2 emissions at the Gurgaon and Manesar plants. This was possible after the MSI executed various programmes in the last fiscal year in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint. The Gurgaon plant reported CO2 reduction of 15 per cent per vehicle, 16 per cent in electricity and 5 per cent in water consumption. Likewise, its Manesar plant registered reduction of 13 per cent, 1 per cent and 16 per cent in its CO2 emission per vehicle and savings of electricity and water consumption, respectively. Moreover, the company recorded an increase of Rs. 15.2 crores in social sector investment, up by Rs. 3.9 crores since 2009-10.
