Maruti Suzuki India Ltd managing director S Nakanishi speaks to Sumant Banerji about his company’s plans for the next few years, as well as parent Suzuki Motor Corporation’s ‘World Strategic Models’ blueprint for long-term growth

• As you take over as MD of India’s biggest car company, Maruti is on a high having surpassed all expectations this year. What are your five main targets for the future?

Yes, you are right that Maruti Suzuki is on a high in terms of sales growth and market share, and also in customer satisfaction. As for my main targets for the future, firstly, we will stay focused on the goal of achieving 1 million sales by 2010. This will require capacity expansion and upgradation of manufacturing facilities, for which we have already announced an investment of Rs 9,000 crore. The expansion of our sales and service network is underway for the 1 million target. Maruti Suzuki has also set ambitious targets for productivity, quality, safety and cost, in line with the 1 million sales target, and our teams in these areas will continue to focus on them.

At the same time, I believe that Maruti Suzuki is ready to play a much bigger role in Suzuki’s global operations, and my task will be to make that happen. Maruti Suzuki’s manufacturing capability has reached a level where we want to make small cars exclusively in India for export to Europe! Maruti Suzuki’s R&D has shown tremendous potential through its contribution to the Swift and Concept A-Star. The R&D at Maruti Suzuki will strengthen in the next 3-5 years, both in terms of infrastructure and capability.

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