Maruti Udyog is planning to export 16,000 units of the Alto Vx to eight Western European countries. Of the proposed consignment, 50 per cent is confirmed orders, while the rest is estimates.
If the target culminates, it will be the second largest export for a car produced in India after the Ford Ikon, and could fetch Maruti over Rs 600 crore in foreign exchange during 2002-03.
According to senior company officials, in the first phase, Maruti will export the Alto Vx to Switzerland, Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Finland and Greece. Alto Vx is the 1.1-litre version of the car available in India, which is also available with a 800cc engine.
The orders could increase in the second phase, when Maruti plans to commence exports to Italy, considered the heart of the global small car market, in addition to the UK and France, the officials said.
The Alto Vx meant for exports will be branded as the new Suzuki Alto, but will be manufactured at Maruti
