The proud owner of probably the only Maruti [Get Quote] in Jerusalem has expressed great joy at the news of a possible launch of the car in Israel.

Undeterred by the prospect of competition for his claim to fame, Uri Benzion said: "I am extremely happy and also quite relieved on hearing this. I am so sentimentally attached to my Maruti-800 that I do not want to get rid off it despite people in my family urging me to replace it."

Benzion's father gave the 1995-manufactured car as a gift to him in 2000 after buying it from a Tel Aviv resident who hardly used it.

He has been using the car ever since, though it has been giving him a 'tough time' recently and requires original parts for repair.

Benzion's wife, Marina, also insists staying with Maruti because there are several 'sweet memories' attached to it.

"We went on several long trips with the car and I would admire its efficiency and unseen strength," she told PTI.

"My father insisted that I take a new car about two years ago, saying my Maruti looks old, and I was very sad then," Benzion said.

"I am glad he did not insist too hard because I truly believe it is a wonderful car," he said.

Jerusalem is flooded with imported cars, but except Benzion's Maruti, there is no trace of any other Indian car.

Dan Gafni, CEO of Automotive Equipment and Vehicles (Machshirei Tnua), the importers of Suzuki vehicles, had announced on Monday his company was planning to import Maruti cars.

Maruti Suzuki India Limited recently announced its plans to export cars to Europe by 2009.