Indian car market is booming and there has always been a great demand for diesel cars in especially the Indian market. Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motors India Limited have already ramped up production of their diesel models for the Indian customers.
Hyundai has recently announced that it will introduce the diesel variant of its i10 model in the Indian market in the fourth quarter of this year. Now the company is mulling over new engine unit to be set up in India. It intends to set up a new diesel engine plant in India with locally sourced components.
"We concluded a feasibility study on a new diesel engine plant in India around three months ago. I think, a decision on that will be taken soon at our global headquarters after due consultations with our executives in India," said a senior official from HMIL. Hyundai will initially source critical engine components in India as making other components such as cylinder blocks heads etc. will not be difficult.
Honda and Toyota are also mulling over introducing diesel models in their product portfolio. Honda currently has only petrol models selling in the Indian market. It is now making a small diesel engine for the Indian market while Toyota will soon roll out diesel variant of Toyota Corolla Altis. “We feel the need to develop a diesel engine,” said Jnaneswar Sen, vice president (marketing), Honda Siel.
