New Delhi, Dec 11: Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) today said it will launch its new 'Concept A star' at the ninth Auto Expo to be held in January here.

''The Concept A star will be produced in the Manesar plant of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL), the production of which is expected to begin in autumn next year,'' company Chief Executive Osamu Suzuki said.

The current capacity of the plant is one lakh units comprising Swift and SX4. The capacity will be hiked to 1.2 lakh units by mid next year and touch three lakh by 2010.

''Of the three lakh units, 1.5 lakh units will be Concept A Star.

One lakh units of Concept will be exported to Europe, while the rest will be for domestic consumption,'' MSIL Managing Director Jagdish Khattar said.

Concept A Star is an A-segment 5-door hatchback model and is equipped with Euro-V compliant 1.0 litre aluminium petrol engine.

MSIL is also infusing a major investment of Rs 10,000 crore, which will include the production of Concept A Star, modernisation of its existing plant and a new series of engine.

SMC will also invest 100 billion yen towards research and development.

UNI