Suzuki developing affordable strong-hybrid tech for India

The cost of the technology which goes into the Toyota hybrids is still quite high.

The market for electric vehicles in India has grown rapidly in the past few years, with Tata Motors leading the charge. However, India's largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, is yet to take the plunge in this growing segment. Besides, the carmaker is also betting big on hybrids. 

According to R C Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki, Suzuki Japan is developing an affordable strong-hybrid technology for the Indian market, as the cost of the hybrid tech offered by Toyota is still quite expensive.

“The cost of the technology which goes into the Toyota hybrids is still quite high, and that is why the cost of the car becomes high. Work is ongoing in Suzuki Japan on evolving better [strong hybrid] technology, which will enable smaller cars to take advantage of the principles of hybridisation to improve fuel economies at a much more affordable cost. You can look forward to small cars with much better mileage than what they have today. It all depends on how quickly and how effectively Suzuki Japan can develop a technology, which is robust and which will give the kind of results we want. At the moment, it's not there”, Bhargava said.

Currently, Maruti Suzuki has two strong-hybrid models on sale - the Grand Vitara and Invicto. Both cars use Toyota technology and are priced from Rs 18.43 lakh (ex-showroom). Bhargava believes the demand for these cars will improve if the government reduces the GST levied on hybrid vehicles, which has been set at 43%.

Source: Car and Bike