PATIALA: The Maruti Udyog limited does not see any threat from small car proposed by Tata group These views were expressed by RS Kalsi, CBH (North) of MUL here Friday.He was interacting with media after launching the wagon R Duo, which can run on LPG and Petrol.

He said, "I don't think we need to worry about Tata's Rs 100,000 car. It will attract those customers who cannot yet afford existing cars like Maruti 800 and Alto. As such, I do not see the proposed Rs 100,000 car impacting Maruti, though two wheelers could perhaps be affected."

Kalsi admitted that due to increasing price MUL forced to bring LPG model, though sale of other car didn't come down, he added.

He further added that the outlook for the year looks bright. But there are two dampeners: the fuel price hike and the increase in interest rates. The reduction in the excise duty on small cars has been more than neutralised by these two factors. The cost of buying and running a car may be higher now.

We will launch five models in five years, other than variants and the diesel models. When asked about the lack of a diesel range has been a handicap MUL, he replied that the diesel segment has increased from 15 per cent of the market to 20 per cent in the last three-four years. The diesel vehicles will plug a big gap. However, our focus will be on petrol cars.

He further informed that Punjab has predominately 55 percent share in MUL's total sale and also equated 17% share of luxury car segment of national average. 

Others who were present including Rahul Sidhu, chairman of Hira Group, Kuldeep Singh Bhattal, Director Hira Group etc.