Maruti supplies hybrid cars for Commonwealth Games

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL), the largest car maker in the Indian market has announced on Friday that it has successfully developed electric and hybrid engines for some of its popular cars in the Indian market. The development of new hybrid and electric powertrains can be seen as a big step ahead in the direction of adopting a greener approach in the manufacturing of its vehicles in the Indian market. Some of these hybrid cars will also be used in the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

Mr. I V Rao, Managing Executive Officer, Engineering at MSIL commented that although these technologies are still not ready for commercial production, a few hybrid SX4s and electric Eeco variants would be supplied for use during the Commonwealth Games later this year. He added that the company is supplying about 10 vehicles for the Commonwealth Games – a mix of full-time hybrid SX4s and electric Eecos and the company has been working on alternative technologies since 2008 – the electric motor is from Bosch.

Meanwhile, the company has stated that it will start the commercial production of its prospective MPV (multi purpose vehicle) Maruti RIII by the end of this year. The RIII model has been built on the platform of company's popular hatchback Maruti Ritz. The company had showcased this car at the Delhi International auto expo in January this year. The new RIII model will possibly come powered with Maruti's latest generation 1.2L K-series engine, which is already doing duties in some of company's popular cars in India including Maruti Swift and Ritz.