The country's largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India, today appointed Japanese firm Nippo as its consultant for developing a test track at Rohtak, in Haryana, where its research and development centre is being set up at an investment of Rs 1,500 crore.
A board meeting of the company held today approved the appointment of Nippo and also the modalities of the arrangement with parent Suzuki Motor Corp (SMC) for development of the test track.
"The board approved the appointment of Japan's Nippo as consultant for development of the test track. Also, the arrangement with Suzuki, on how to develop the track according to criteria set by them, has been approved," Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Chairman R C Bhargava told PTI.
He said Nippo will develop a detailed plan based on guidelines set out by the SMC and subsequently, a tender will be floated inviting bids for construction of the test track, which will play a major role in development of international cars for the company in India.
Last August, Suzuki announced that it would make an investment of up to Rs 1,500 crore by 2015 for setting up an R&D centre in India, which will be the company's global small car R&D hub.
The centre being developed by MSI is spread over 700 acres at Rohtak, in Haryana.
This will be the largest such facility set up by SMC outside Japan and will comprise a 600-acre R&D centre, test tracks and a vendor park spread over 100 acres.
