Maruti plans mid-market car parade, goes slow on premium

A A

Roudra Bhattacharya: New Delhi, Dec 24 2012, 03:56 IST

Maruti Suzuki has planned a slew of launches in the mid-level segments (B & C) in the next two years as it sees consumer preference moving up the value chain. However, the company will not enter the premium segment as it does not see it as its area of core competence.

Three sedans are in the works, with a new B-segment model priced Rs 7-9 lakh slated for launch around late 2014, competing with the likes of Nissan Sunny and Hyundai Verna. Developed on the extended new Swift platform, this may be positioned between the Dzire and SX4 and will extensively share components with the Swift to cut costs.

Maruti MD Shinzo Nakanishi said the B-segment is now 21% of the car market from 15% two years back while the C segment is 9%. “The share of A segment (small cars) is down to 70% from 80%. We will look at all segments below the D-segment, but one thing is clear that Suzuki will never go to the premium segment,” Nakanishi, however, did not comment on product plans.

The second sedan will be the larger and more luxurious new SX4 planned for launch in 2014-15 which will take on Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Elantra. The third model will be an entry-level sedan that is reportedly in the works — a sub-4 metre model probably even smaller than the Dzire and based on the next generation Suzuki Alto (or A-star in India).

“The idea is to build on scales, and move up market where the

... contd.

Ads by Google

Single Page Format

1 | 2 | 3 | Next

The art of Cruze control Maruti to set up second plant in Gujarat, acquires 600 acresMaruti to set up 2nd plant in Gujarat Largest car maker sees no reason for cheer in FY14

Previous Story Banks tap finmin over worries of power NPAs Next Story Sensex gains 106 points in early trade

Reader's Comments| Post a Comment

Be the first to comment.