Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) is planning to showcase its new `K' cars during next month's auto show in India. The new tiny `K' cars are expected to compete with Tata Nano in the market. Maruti Suzuki will showcase two models of 660cc and another `K' car with a 1.2 litre engine at the auto show.

MSI chairman, R C Bhargava said, "These are not like the Nano. They are more sophisticated cars, with an aluminum engine... and they don't come cheap either."

He said that the cars are cheaper in Japan due to the tax beaks extended by that country's government. Maruti said that it is not aiming to compete with Nano but market waters say the models will compete with Nano as well as Alto.

The company claims that the `K' cars are more fuel-efficient and offer better performance than Alto models. Mayank Pareek, managing officer (sales & marketing) said that the company will display the models at the expo next month and is expected to be viewed by more than one million people.

He added that the company will look at customer response and read their price expectation for the models. The `K' cars are now being manufactured in Japan and it is now known if they will be imported into the country or will be produced in India.

The company will also showcase its new Ertiga, which is a seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle, a compact SUV and another new model at the Auto Expo.