Maruti Suzuki India Chairman RC Bhargava responded to concerns about the company's pace in electric vehicle production by stressing the necessity of having a variety of automotive technologies to transition away from petrol and diesel cars in India. In contrast to focusing solely on electric vehicles, Bhargava emphasized the importance of adopting a more diversified approach to meet national goals and not relying on a single technology. He suggested that a mix of technologies is essential, as pure petrol and diesel vehicles are major contributors to carbon emissions and high fuel consumption.
Bhargava pointed out the environmental impact of traditional petrol and diesel cars, advocating for the adoption of strong hybrid technology, CNG, ethanol, and biogas vehicles, highlighting their superior fuel efficiency and lower emissions compared to conventional vehicles. Despite the trend of many automakers moving away from the budget car market, Bhargava pledged to remain committed to budget-conscious buyers, emphasizing the company's dedication to ensuring affordability for a wide range of consumers.
As Maruti Suzuki India transitions to Maruti 3.0, Bhargava emphasized the critical role of technology development in the company's future plans. He highlighted the expansion of engineering capabilities within the company, with a growing engineering manpower of about 2,500 and a fully functional facility in Rohtak. Bhargava also underscored the importance of encouraging vendors to enhance their engineering capacities, reduce reliance on imports, and boost exports. Additionally, he praised the Uttar Pradesh government for providing incentives for strong hybrid vehicles, expressing hope that such initiatives would facilitate the transition to more sustainable transportation options in the country.