Maruti launches new car, seeks to increase exports

New Delhi, Nov 19 (IANS) Auto major Maruti Suzuki Tuesday launched a new model targeted at the mid-priced segment, and said it hoped to export it to over 150 countries.

Priced in the Rs.347,000-Rs.412,000 range, the car - called A-star - will be made in over 200 variants and is touted to give a mileage of 19.59 km per litre of petrol. A-star is Maruti Suzuki's eighth vehicle launched in a little over three years.

'A-star will be exported mainly to European markets and we expect it to account for a major part of our total exports,' company chairman R.C. Bhargava said at the vehicle's launch.

The company exported around 50,000 cars last year and expects to export more this year.

Incidentally, A-star has been designed keeping the European market in mind, and will be rolled out of the company's facility at Manesar near Delhi.