Looks like Maruti Suzuki is all set to walk back on its landmark decision of quitting the diesel engine segment. India's largest automaker is eyeing to sell diesel engine cars again in 2021.
The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) is planning to enter the diesel segment once again next year, 2021 as the vertical continues to draw a lot of buyers especially in the high demanding SUV and multipurpose vehicle segments, as per industry sources.
In one of the biggest announcements last year, the company stated that it will phase out all of its diesel cars from April this year. This move was forced by the fact that the BS-VI emission norms come into effect on April 1, 2020, and as it stands, Maruti Suzuki’s diesel engines will not be ready to meet the more stringent emission norms. The company explained at the time that upgrading its diesel engines to ensure compliance with the new emission norms would cause Maruti Suzuki cars to lose the 'competitive price' factor that gave them the edge above their rivals in the market. As per the sources, MSI is now ready to roll back its decision against diesel cars in India.
As per the industry sources, MSI has initiated the process to upgrade its Manesar-based plant so that it can walk back on it's decision by rolling out BS-VI diesel engines by either mid-2021 or festive season 2021. It's also aiming to utilize the BS-VI-compliant diesel powertrain in the Ertiga and Vitara Brezza to begin within the domestic market. The automaker, however, did not specify any reasons for reentering the diesel segment.
Reports claim that the MSI is planning to upgrade its current set up at the factory in Manesar, where it previously made the BS4 compliant 1.5-litre diesel engines. At the moment, MSI's entire model range is currently powered by BS6-compliant 1.0-litre, 1.2-litre, and 1.5-litre petrol engines. Besides that, the company will also offer some CNG models as well. The company used to get around 23 percent of its total sales in the domestic market from diesel trims.
