India NGV Market to Heat Up

Maruti has added the Eeco to its list of proposed CNG-powered models.

Maruti Suzuki is determined to compete strongly in the very active compact segment of India’s automotive market. According to an Economic Times report, confirmed by Maruti Suzuki, deregulation of petrol and diesel prices has made alternative fuel vehicles even more attractive and the company is responding with pending launches of natural gas vehicles and is considering offering CNG options across other segments. In addition to previously reported models, Maruti will offer a CNG option for the Eeco in the multi-purpose category.

General Motors, Toyota, Hyundai are some of the other carmakers which have CNG and LPG options for their cars are also planning to expand further, the report stated. Per km cost on petrol is reportedly about Rs 3.44, it is Rs 2.35 on diesel, Rs 2.23 on petrol-LPG and Rs 1.31 on petrol-CNG.

Bi-fuel models contribute about 15-20% of total sales, say marketing officials. “The shift will be faster to alternate fuels now,” said Ankush Arora, the sales and marketing head for General Motors in India, which has launched CNG models of the Optra and Aveo.

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