New Delhi, Nov 25: Industry minister Sikander Bakht has asked Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL) to introduce new car models before the turn of the century and blamed the feud between the government and Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), equal partners in the joint venture, for the delay."I have asked SMC chairman Osamu Suzuki to introduce new models by the end of 1999 or early 2000," he said.
Fresh from his visit to the facilities of Toyota Motor Corporation and SMC in Japan, Bakht said these auto majors had envinced interest to make fresh investments and start new ventures in India.
"Not only Suzuki and Toyota, but many others have shown interest to spread their wings in India," Bakht said and emphasised that there was no impact of sanctions on the economic relations between the two countries.
Bakht, the first Indian minister to visit Japan after the May 11 nuclear tests, said although the Japanese were emotional about nuclear weapons, they did not even once mention the tests during his week long visit.
"Myvisit has removed whatever constraints that existed between the two countries. Now investments from Japan will not rain, they will pour," he said.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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