The diesel engine plant being set up by Maruti Udyog (MUL) in association with Suzuki Motors at Manesar in Haryana is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2007. Launching Maruti's first driving school here, MUL managing director Jagdish Khattar said engines produced at the new plant will be fitted to Maruti's bigger cars besides catering to the global requirements of Suzuki."It (diesel engine) can't be for a small car. Not in Maruti 800 or Alto since this engine needs a heavier platform," Khattar said, adding, the capacity and investment plans for the new engine plant were yet to be worked out.Khattar said preliminary work for building a second car plant at a 600 acre land in Manesar along with the diesel engine unit had begun. "Last year, the industry grew between 25-27%. This year, the growth has been less so far at about 18% till February," Khattar said. He said Maruti will launch Swift, a mid-sized sedan, in the middle of this year and will be positioned above the Esteem. It will have a 1.3 litre petrol engine and come in new colours, he added.
