Responding to concerns about the pace of production of its electric vehicles, Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) Chairman RC Bhargava highlighted the need for various automotive technologies to replace petrol and diesel cars in India.
“Some people think that our company was slow to make electric vehicles. We decided to take a more diversified approach to meet the national goals and did not want to put all our eggs in one basket. The government also recognised that in India, there was a need to use different technologies,” Bhargava said while releasing MSIL’s annual report.
Bhargava pointed out that petrol and diesel cars are the most polluting in terms of carbon emissions and fuel consumption. He advocated for increased use of powerful hybrid technology vehicles, running on CNG, ethanol and biogas, which offer better fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
While most carmakers are exiting the budget car market, Bhargava is committed to staying true to budget-conscious buyers.
« Even though we produce more SUVs and more expensive cars to cater to a different market segment, we will never forget the needs of the large number of people who cannot afford expensive cars, » Bhargava said.
As MSIL moves to Maruti 3.0, Bhargava highlighted the critical role of technology development. While Suzuki is advancing its own R&D, MSIL is strengthening its capabilities in conventional technologies.
« Our engineering strength has now increased to around 2,500. The Rohtak plant is fully operational. We are also encouraging our vendors to enhance their engineering capabilities, reduce their dependence on imports and accelerate their exports, » he said.
He welcomed the recent incentives by the Uttar Pradesh government for high-performance hybrid vehicles, hoping that it would encourage a shift from petrol and diesel cars to more sustainable options. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO, MSIL, reiterated the company’s commitment to India’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2070. He said MSIL, with the support of Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC, Japan), is working on various powertrain technologies, including battery electric vehicles, high-performance hybrids, biofuels such as ethanol and compressed biogas, and CNG, to reduce the overall carbon footprint.
The company will invest Rs 165 crore in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities this financial year, reflecting its commitment towards social and environmental responsibilities.
