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Maruti's Omni, Gypsy remain Euro-unfit, efforts on to make them Y2K-norms-compliant

Maruti Udyog Limited is yet to approach the Delhi Transport Authority for seeking unrestricted registration of Omni and Gypsy in the National Capital Region as efforts are still on to make the two vehicles compliant with Year 2000 emission norms.

The company has already got the permission for unrestricted sale of its mid-size car Esteem and applications have been filed for Maruti 800 and Zen (both petrol and diesel), MUL sources said.

''We have submitted the application along with the necessary documents and the certificate of the Automotive Research Association of India. We expect the consent letter to come shortly,'' the sources added.

Production of these new versions would commence on June 7, when MUL's Gurgaon facility reopens after the half-yearly maintenance shutdown.

Regarding Omni and Gypsy, the sources said, ''We are not in a hurry with these models as we have ample time. Besides, demand for these vehicles is also not high at present. But, by the first week of June, we expect to get the certificates for these vehicles as well.''

MUL has already ruled out any hike in prices of its year 2000 compliant cars despite a Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 increase in production costs due to the modifications being incorporated.

''Keeping in view the interests of our customers and the large number of pending bookings, we have decided to absorb the entire cost ourselves,'' the company had announced.

As per the recent Supreme Court directive, car manufacturers can sell and register Euro-I or India Year 2000 compliant vehicles in the NCR without any restriction from June 1, 1999.

While the Esteem and Zen diesel were always Euro-I compliant, the Maruti 800 and the Zen petrol have now been made compliant.

The company has also prepared contingency plans for full transition to Euro-II norms by April 1, 2000. Investments to the tune of Rs 6 billion have already been made in this regard.

UNI

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