Rumour: Maruti Suzuki to shut its diesel engine plant

According to a media report, Maruti Suzuki is planning to shut down its diesel engine assembly plant in Gurgaon. The production facility could be converted to build petrol engines. The carmaker could also add a new petrol engine assembly line at its Manesar plant.

At present, Maruti assembles the Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre diesel engine at its Gurgaon plant. The factory also produces the 800cc diesel that powers the Super Carry LCV. It churns out 1,70,000 engines per year, while the Manesar facility has an annual production capacity of 3,00,000 units.

Maruti Suzuki is reportedly expecting the demand for diesel vehicles to fade once BS-VI emission regulations come into force from April 1, 2020. The company has no plans to upgrade the 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine to meet the stricter norms and is therefore likely to replace it with its own 1.5-litre diesel that is being developed in-house.

Source: Live Mint