PTI

New Delhi: After identifying India as a global export hub, Japanese auto major Suzuki Motor Co is planning to roll out its next ‘world car´ from the country.

According to sources, the car that is being targeted at the European market will be rolled from Maruti Suzuki India’s (MSI) facility at Manesar.

Osama Suzuki, chairman of the company will be in India next week to make an announcement on the company’s plans for the new global car.

The new car will be fifth global model from Suzuki after Swift, Grand Vitara, SX4 and Splash (which is yet to be launched in India).

The ‘world car´ is being jointly developed by MSI and SMC, the sources said.

MSI is already scaling up capacity at its Manesar plant to touch 3 lakh units by 2010 from its current one lakh in order accommodate the production of the new ‘world car´.

Osamu, who had emphasized the importance of scaling up research and development in India to the level of its Japanese unit, during an earlier visit to India in October had announced further investment of $1.7 billion on R&D and stepping up marketing activities.

He emphasised the need to have close coordination between MSI’s and SMC’s research and development so that the former plays an important role in churning out global models.

MSI’s new R&D facility spread over 500 acre to be set up at its Manesar facility will also house a vehicle test track.