PUNE, November 22: Is Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL), market leader in the small car segment, feeling the heat in the intensely competitive automobiles market? With the major exercise that MUL has undertaken - to revamp its dealer-showrooms and workshops - it appears to be the case.

MUL managing director RNNL Bhaskarudu told The Financial Express on Saturday that an action plan for the integrated revamp of showrooms and workshops would be ready by December. This would be unveiled at the all- India Maruti dealers conference scheduled to be held in Hyderabad next month.

Bhaskarudu, who visited two Maruti dealers in Pune on Saturday, said he had already visited showrooms in Jaipur, Bangalore, Delhi and would next visit Chennai, Chandigarh and Mumbai. The action plan would be based on his visits to these showrooms.

Bhaskarudu, who refused to speak on either the Suzuki-centre tussle or its new models, had asked dealers to display the cars in more spacious showrooms instead of cramped ones. Competitive sales tactics adopted by the foreign car-makers seems to have made its impact, with the MUL managing director suggesting that dealers shed the government-style boards -- displayed prominently at entrances -- which recommends the customer to contact MUL's regional office for information regarding their waiting list status.

It is quite apparent that the emphasis will now be on a customer-friendly ambience and Maruti's showrooms will be less bureaucratic as buyers will have easy access to information.yy

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.