Struggling Japanese Automaker Suzuki hopes it will fare better in India than it has in the US. To help make sure it does, Suzuki introduced Indian press to a full line-up of clean-burning CNG vehicles earlier this week.
Read more about Suzuki’s new CNG cars, after the jump.
Suzuki is no stranger to CNG production models, and hopes that the new line-up of cars will boost sales in India’s emerging car market. In fact, Maruti Suzuki is predicting a 25% increase in overall sales once the CNG variant of the Alto K10 (just one the 5 CNG models shown) arrives in dealer showrooms later this month.
In addition to the Alto (shown, above) the company has introduced dual-fuel CNG versions of the Estilo, Wagon R, Eeco, and (Fiat-based) SX4, making use of innovative CNG engine tech called “intelligent Gas-Port Injection,” or iGPI. According to Suzuki, the i-GPI technology makes use of its ECU’s advanced processing power to ensures that the ride, handling, and feel of the cars is nearly identical in both standard gas and CNG driving “modes.”
With CNG being nearly 60% less expensive than gasoline, many Indians have tried their hand at DIY-style conversions to conventional gas cars. Suzuki hopes that the sophistication of their system, coupled with added safety systems in place in the OEM’s factory-made CNG cars, will tempt would-be converters to trade-out of their cars instead.
Here’s hoping something like this catches on Stateside. Hank Hill would be proud.
SOURCE AND PHOTO CREDITS: The Hindu.
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“Struggling Japanese Automaker Suzuki hopes it will fare better in India than it has in the US.”
LOL. Apparently you are not aware that Suzuki & government of India had a JV called Maruti Suzuki. That is now just called Suzuki after the government reduced its holding. It is still called Maruti by everyone there.
Maruti is the largest Indian car company.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maruti_Suzuki
“Struggling Japanese Automaker Suzuki hopes it will fare better in India than it has in the US.”
LOL. Apparently you are not aware that Suzuki & government of India had a JV called Maruti Suzuki. That is now just called Suzuki after the government reduced its holding. It is still called Maruti by everyone there.
Maruti is the largest Indian car company.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maruti_Suzuki
Yes, it is – but Suzuki is struggling badly in the US, sending buyout offers to 150 of its 354 dealers and cutting 50 others outright.
Suzuki’s JV in India may be going strong, but everyone is doing well in India, China, etc. (BRIC, anyone?) in established markets like North America and Europe, Suzuki is in trouble.
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/16/report-struggling-suzuki-cuts-50-u-s-dealers/
Yes, it is – but Suzuki is struggling badly in the US, sending buyout offers to 150 of its 354 dealers and cutting 50 others outright.
Suzuki’s JV in India may be going strong, but everyone is doing well in India, China, etc. (BRIC, anyone?) in established markets like North America and Europe, Suzuki is in trouble.
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/16/report-struggling-suzuki-cuts-50-u-s-dealers/
It would be nice to see these in the U.S. Currently the only automaker that offers CNG is the dedicated Honda Civic NGV. I own one. It’s an awesome commuter car.
It would be nice to see these in the U.S. Currently the only automaker that offers CNG is the dedicated Honda Civic NGV. I own one. It’s an awesome commuter car.
Maruti Suzuki is showing some good progress by launching these 5 natural gas models.
Maruti Suzuki is showing some good progress by launching these 5 natural gas models.