MUL managing director Jagdhish Khattar told UNI here that there was every possibility that Wagon R would be launched during Suzuki's visit.Khattar refused to divulge the agenda of SMC's president visit, stating that it was not finalised yet.

When asked whether Maruti 1000 would be phased out after Wagon R's launch, he replied in a negative.

MUL said that Suzuki Wagon R retained its top selling status in the Japan market in October. SMC has sold 18,768 Wagon R that month ahead of Toyota Corolla and Honda Life. The 1000 cc model has maintained the numero uno position in the Japan market for the consecutive 15 months since August 1998.

The company recently launched 1600 cc Baleno in the top end of the mid-size segment and claimed that it has sold 17 Baleno on the first day of its launch. At the launching ceremony, Khattar had stated that it is a first step of the company's new launches in the near future. Recent reports in a section of the press suggested that besides Wagon R, the next offering would be SMC's Alto model.

MUL, a joint venture between the Indian Government and SMC, has set a target of selling 4,00,000 cars this fiscal against 3,35,000 last financial year. For the first eight months of this fiscal, MUL has sold 2,52,498 cars, registering a 25 per cent growth over the figure of 2,04,147 units during the corresponding period last year.

Meanwhile, Suzuki Pu3-computer car, a concept model developed by SMC, received the award for the best car at the recently held Tokyo motor show. The concept car of the year award is sponsored by Automotive News International.