"We have no plans to introduce diesel varients of Matiz as these engines are not fit for small cars," Daewoo Motors India managing director SG Awasthi said.

He said the company decided against the diesel engines as they have smaller life span and higher maintainance cost compared to petrol engines.

Moreover, diesel engines require more space than conventional petrol ones, Awasthi added.

"High quality diesel engines are very costly leaving small diesel cars unviable for buyers who are very price sensitive," he said.

Stating that the concept of diesel small car was not very popular anywhere in the world, Daewoo Motors India chief said the experience in India also has not been very successful.

The other Korean auto manufacturer in India, Hyundai Siel cars has also gone on record that diesel engines were not a good option for smallcars.

Hyundai, which has four petrol varients of Santro, does not have any diesel version.

At present Maruti Udyog's Zen, Telco's Indica and Ind Auto's Uno offer diesel version in the small car segment.