Maruti Suzuki on Thursday launched what it described as India's first flex-fuel passenger car, positioning the technology as a key pillar in the country's efforts to reduce crude oil imports, lower carbon emissions and strengthen energy security. Speaking at the launch event, Managing Director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said the introduction of the flex-fuel Wagon R marked more than the debut of a new vehicle and represented "a new chapter in India's energy journey." The company unveiled the vehicle in the presence of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, both of whom have championed the use of alternative fuels and domestic energy sources. Highlighting India's dependence on imported crude oil, Takeuchi said the country needed energy solutions that were "cleaner, affordable, scalable, and based on India's own strengths."