Pune: Maruti Suzuki on Tuesday introduced a multi-purpose vehicle or MPV Ertiga with new in-house developed 1.5 litre diesel engine, priced between Rs 9.86 lakh and Rs 11.20 lakh.
Although Maruti will phase out all diesel cars before the April 2020 deadline to upgrade to BS-VI emission norms, Maruti Chairman R.C. Bhargava confirmed that the 1.5-litre diesel engine may make a comeback in BS-VI form depending on customer acceptability.
US automaker Ford also on Tuesday said it will continue to sell diesel models in India and it has no plans to pull the plug on such vehicles.
The American brand which sells models like EcoSport and Endeavour said it would also be ready with BS VI-compliant diesel powertrains for its model range before the April 1, 2020 deadline.
"We will continue to offer the power of choice to consumers and will not stop diesel models. Ford will also be fully ready with its range of BS-VI compliant diesel powertrains ahead of April 2020 implementation," Vinay Raina, Executive Director, Marketing, Sales and Service at Ford India, said.
With diesel cars set to become costlier from next year with the implementation of stricter BS-VI emission norms, major automakers in India are contemplating about the future of such vehicles in their portfolios.
Maruti Suzuki says the increase in cost would put most of the diesel cars, especially the smaller ones, out of reach of small car buyers in the country.
Raina, however, said historically consumers for utility vehicles have preferred diesel powertrains.
