Mundra, 12 January 2009: Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), the largest car manufacturer of the country, has resumed its small car exports to Europe after a gap of nearly 4 years as it hopes to export 1,50,000 cars in FY11, according to a top company official.

“We have restarted exports with the first shipment of A-Star christened as Suzuki Alto in Europe. This represents Suzuki’s re-entry into the European small-car market and much effort and investments have been put in by Suzuki towards this project,’’ MSIL MD & CEO, Mr.Shinzo Nakanishi said after flagging off the first consignment from the Mundra Port on Sunday .

"Maruti Suzuki has ambitious plans for exports and hopeful of exporting 1,50,000 cars in FY11", Mr.Nakanishi said.

The pilot consignment, comprising 1,534 A-Star cars for export to the UK (1,458) and Italy (76), is expected to reach the European ports by early February 2009.

Maruti Suzuki had started exporting its cars in 1985-86 to Europe, but stopped in 2004. The company has exported over 5,52,000 units cumulatively with about 2,80,000 units to Europe and Israel.

In the current fiscal, the company has exported close to 44,870 units, growing 18% over previous fiscal across the world, excluding Europe.

A-star model is expected to contribute a significant number to the overall export target. The company will continue to route a portion of its exports through Maharashtra’s Mumbai and Nhava Sheva ports, he said.