Battling Auto Slowdown, Maruti To Begin Rolling Out CNG Variants For Models Of All Small Cars In Its Portfolio

Having earlier decided to stop production of diesel vehicles due to restrictive cost towards the transition to BS-VI norms, Maruti Suzuki has ow decided to roll out CNG variants of all the small cars in its portfolio, ET reports.

“All small cars in our portfolio will get converted to CNG. There is an acceptance from the government that CNG is a cleaner fuel, and it is being accepted for transportation. They are setting up 10,000 CNG distribution outlets,” said R C Bhargava Maruti Suzuki Chairman.

Maruti currently offers CNG variants for eight of the 16 models it has in its portfolio with CNG vehicles making upto 7 per cent of its sales. However, in states where CNG outlets are available, the vehicles make upto 30 per cent of the sales. The company hopes that the CNG vehicle demand will help it overcome the slack once diesel vehicles are withdrawn.

Maruti, being the top car manufacturer in India has been facing the brunt of the current slowdown in vehicle consumption with a 35.9 per cent decline in vehicle sales in August.

The move will also help India cut its import bills as the country with over 50 per cent of the current demand for natural gas fuel being met from within the country. On the other hand, India imports over 80 per cent of its crude oil needs.