Automaker, Maruti Suzuki has started work on the setting up of a new research and development (R&D) facility in the industrial modern township (IMT) in Rohtak.

The company laid the foundation stone on 600 acres land within the IMT on Monday. MD and CEO of Maruti Suzuki India limited Shinzo Nakanishi said that the company will invest Rs 2000 crore in setting up the R&D facilities. The company had recently announced that it is planning to increase the production of its diesel vehicles in order to cater to the growing demand for diesel cars in the country.

"We are selling around 12 lakh cars annually which are likely to reach 20 lakh by 2015. As per the market trends and experts opinion the market is expected to touch 40 lakh figure in next three years of which we hope that half will be Maruti Suzuki's share", the official said.

The company will invest Rs 1,700 crore to set up a new diesel engine plant within its Gurgaon facility in Haryana. The new plant is set to have an annual production capacity of three lakh units.