Maruti Udyog Ltd on Friday said it would set up a Maruti Service Masters unit, its after sales service arm, in Chennai with an investment of Rs 13 crore (Rs 130 million).

The Chennai project would be operational by January next year. The network would be further expanded in the near future in other parts of the country, K Kumar, advisor (engineering), Maruti Udyog, said in New Delhi.

The MSM, a joint venture between Maruti Udyog and Japan's largest integrated business enterprise, Sumitomo Corporation, was floated fours years back.

The network of MSM units offers a host of services, including car maintenance, insurance, finance and accessories. It also sells pre-owned, refurbished cars under the True Value brandname.

Outlining the future plans of Sumitomo Corporation for the venture, its senior general manager H Nagaoka said, "We are committed to providing more funds for this project."

The MSM, with a customer base of 23,000, has two outlets in Delhi.