Maruti Kizashi ready to take on competitors in India
Maruti Suzuki Kizashi, the much anticipated premium sedan that will mark the company’s entry in the premium sedan segment in India, is ready to give its competitors a run for their money. The car will be launched in the country in the last week of January 2011. The major competitors of the Kizashi in India include Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Corolla Altis, Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta and Volkswagen Passat.
The company hopes that Kizashi will get good acceptance from the Indian buyers. Mr. RC Bhargawa, chairman, Maruti Suzuki, recently said in an interview given to ET, “When the Kizashi comes, you will find that it is very well designed, fully loaded car like most of our products. We may certainly not get to the No.1 position, but I think the Maruti Kizashi will get good acceptance. We will at least learn a little more about what customers in that segment want and I would be surprised if there isn’t a reasonably good response to the Kizashi.” Kizashi sedan will sport a 2.4L petrol engine that will be capable of delivering a peak power of 185 bhp with 230 Nm of peak torque. The power packed engine of the car will come mated with a highly sophisticated six-speed manual transmission. Kizashi will be initially imported as a completely built unit (CBU) from Japan
Maruti Suzuki Alto Is No.1 Small Car In World
This is first time ever for any Indian car company. Maruti Suzuki Alto has become the biggest selling small car in the world in 2010. Maruti Alto has beaten Fiat Uno and Volkswagen Gol in Brazil and Volkswagen Golf in Germany for the top spot. Maruti Suzuki Alto registered a 25% increase in sales in the previous year to over 300,000 vehicles, helped mostly by a peppier version - the Alto K10 - launched in the middle of 2010. During the same period, the two Volkswagen cars suffered a decline in sales with the Golf slipping down to third spot.
“The K10 has been very well received and has been responsible for the enlargement that we witnessed last year. We are confident it will do even better this year,” said IV Rao, managing executive officer (engineering), Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. The success of Maruti Alto can be traced back from the time it was launched as since 2006 it has been able to stand as the largest selling car in India and now recognition at the global level has added further to its success story. The company is still aiming big for the car with a target sales of 4 lakh vehicles for the year 2011.
Maruti sales increased 17% in December 2010
The country’s largest car maker Maruti India on Tuesday reported a sales jump of over 17 percent for the month of Dec 2010. The company sold a total of 99,225 units of its cars during this month as compared to the 84,804 units sold in the same month last year. In the domestic market, the company sold a total of 89,469 units during this month as against 71,000 units sold in December 2009, accounting for a sales growth of 26.01 per cent. However, the company’s exports fell by 29.32 per cent to 9,756 units as compared to 13,804 units dispatched to the foreign markets in Dec 2009. The sales of company’s oldest small car M800 dipped sharply by 30.15 per cent to 1,798 units during this month as compared to 2,574 units sold in the same month last year.
Segment wise, the sales of A2 segment (including Alto, Wagon R, A-Star, Estilo, Swift and Ritz) stood at 64,492 units as against 52,236 units sold in the same month last year, accounting for a growth of 23.46 per cent. On the other hand, the A3 segment (including SX4 and Dzire) witnessed a 19.37 per cent growth to 9,362 units as compared to 7,843 units sold in Dec last year. In the first 9 months of this financial year, the company sold a total of 9,27,665 units of its cars as against 7,30,943 units sold in same period last year, registering a sales growth of 26.91 per cent.
Suzuki R3: Stylish MPV for India
Maruti Suzuki is planning big these days. Kizashi saloon will be launched this year and the company might probably finally reveal the R3 MPV which will rival the Toyota Innova. The Innova is also due for a refresh in 2011 anyway, but the R3 being a 
Maruti product has got all the potential to give a hard time to Mr. Toyota. According to Indian Autos Blog, the production replica of the Maruti R3 MPV will be launched at the 2012 Auto Expo in the capital.
The car will make its world wide debut here in India but might as well be exported overseas. Go Auto Australia from down under report about Suzuki’s intentions to export the SX4-based MPV. For its Indian clients Maruti Suzuki has lined up the 1.2-litre K-Series petrol and 1.3-litre Multi-jet turbo-diesel engines while on the export versions a 1.6-liter turbodiesel engine fetched from VW. We guess Maruti to offer a substantial kit in the car but mind you, the flamboyant doors and the transparent tail-gate won’t make it to production. So, the car will be freely based on the R3 concept.
Maruti Suzuki SX4 to be powered by Fiat-supplied 1.3-liter turbodiesel
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) is planning to launch Sx4 diesel version with an optional 1.3 litre turbocharged diesel engine. M.M. Singh, Maruti Suzuki Managing Executive Officer has told a news agency that the production of 1.3 litre diesel engine with turbo charger is going on and Maruti will start adding it to SX4 once its plants reopen on January 3 next year. We had earlier reported that Maruti was planning to launch the SX4 diesel in this month which now stands confirmed. Singh added that the production will start after the annual weekly maintenance shutdown (Dec 27, 2010 – Jan 2, 2011). We expect the Sx4 diesel to be priced somewhere around Rs. 9 lakh. Maruti Suzuki is developing a diesel engine not just for Sx4 but also for its upcoming MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) dubbed as RIII. RIII was showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo 2010 and could be launched in 2012 to compete with Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo. We expect Sx4 diesel to have a few changes in the exterior and subtle changes in the interior to distinguish itself from Sx4 petrol version. Sx4 petrol is an overall good package with features list in par with what competition offers. The car’s higher ground clearance helps tackling almost all bad roads in India where other sedan owners may come short.
Fiat’s multijet engine is known for its fuel efficiency and performance in Maruti cars such as Swift diesel, Swift Dzire diesel and Ritz diesel. Thus, using the same tried and tested motor should assure prospective owners of the new Maruti Suzuki SX4 diesel, a peace of mind. The 1.3 litre diesel engine with turbo charger reminds us of the Fiat Linea diesel which is powered by the 1.3 litre multijet motor that produces 86 bhp of power and 20.7 kgm of torque. During our test drive of Linea diesel, we found it to be an average performer because, 86 bhp is just not enough to attempt those highways overtaking maneuvers with confidence for a car of Linea’s size and weight. Acceleration is a slow affair in Linea diesel, with 100 kmph coming up in some 16 seconds!
However, the only good thing is that the variable geometry turbo ensures availability of turbo boost even at relatively low engine revolutions (2200 rpm). Hence, too many gear changes are not required while driving in slow city traffic. If Maruti can offer a torquey 1.3 litre diesel VGT with a healthy 105 bhp of power unlike the Linea diesel VGT with 86 bhp, Sx4 diesel will pose a greater threat to other sedans in its category. Otherwise, the car may lose points in performance aspect and could very well give way to the Vento diesel or Verna diesel. The sub Rs.10 lakh segment is filled with competent cars: the leading Honda City, recently launched Volkswagen (VW) Vento, face-lifted Hyundai new Verna and gorgeous Fiat Linea. We have to wait for a couple of weeks as to how Maruti will price Sx4 diesel against these cars in order to grab the attention of C segment buyers!
Maruti Jimny, the answer to Mahindra Thar
The leading SUV(Sports Utility Vehicle) player in India, Mahindra & Mahindra has recently launched the most awaited off-roader, Mahindra Thar. This new entry in the SUV segment seems to be a threat for Maruti's one of the oldest SUVs, Maruti Gypsy. Maruti Gypsy is also used by the forces and is blessed with excellent performance and powerful engine, but it has not been much impressive with the sales figures.
However, the company Maruti Suzuki is all set to come with its new SUV on shores next year, Maruti Jimmy to maintain its share in the domestic market. No doubt, Maruti Jimmy would the answer to Mahindra Thar. To be launched in 2011, Maruti Jimmy is expected to come in the price tag range of 6-7 lakhs and would give a stiff competition to Mahindra Thar which comes at the price tag of Rs. 5.99 lakhs (Ex-showroom Delhi). Mahindra Thar is powered by 2.5 liter diesel engine and offers mileage of 9.0 kms in city conditions and 13.0 kmpl on highways. The car delivers excellent torque of 247 Nm 1800- 2000 rpm. The car is designed to meet with tough off-road and high altitude conditions. The launch of Mahindra Thar has really impressed the people who are looking for options like Maruti Gypsy.
Maruti Gypsy, however have not been much impressive with the sales statistics but the car has got its own advantages like super reliability, excellent performance, trusted brand product, low maintenance cost, comfortable seats and superb fatigue free driving. The upcoming Maruti sensation, Maruti Jimmy will surely be a key player for Maruti Suzuki to maintain its grip in parallel to Maruti Gypsy in the domestic auto market. Maruti Jimmy is speculated to come in common rail diesel engine with excellent torque and efficient power similar to its petrol variant presently sold in the Japanese sub-continent and other places across the globe. At present, Maruti Jimmy comes in 1.3 liter MI3A Petrol producing maximum power of 80 Bhp and maximum torque of 110 Nm. It would be interesting to see a close fight between the two SUV's, Mahindra Thar, a new model arising from its ashes of Classic Jeep and upcoming Maruti Jimmy, whose performance has been tried and tested overseas.
SCOOP: New Dzire under 4 metres
The next generation Swift Dzire based on the all-the new Suzuki Swift platform will have a length of less than 4 metres, according to sources in Maruti. This will allow the future Dzire to qualify as a ‘small car’ and attract only 10 percent excise duty instead of 22 percent for bigger cars like the current Dzire which is 4160mm long. The new Dzire will use the same 84bhp 1.2 petrol and 75bhp 1.3 turbo-diesel from the existing model but there is also talk of a 90bhp version of the Fiat-sourced diesel motor as well. The plan and growth of the new Dzire is being done completely in-house by Maruti as this model will only be sold in the Indian market. Since the new Swift platform is bigger than before, the challenge for Maruti engineers is to integrate a boot that fits under the four-metre length.
There is a worry that shortening the Dzire’s length could compromise Maruti’s best-selling saloon because length is critical for the premium image of a saloon car. Also, boot space would be significantly reduced as well. However, the flip side is cost funds of around Rs 40,000 (thanks to excise duty savings) and we expect a significant amount of this advantage to be passed onto consumers. Looking at the response to the Etios, the Dzire’s first serious competitor, we expect the new Maruti Swift Dzire to be very aggressively priced. The new Dzire is likely to be launched soon after the Swift hatchback in the second half of 2011.
Maruti to launch seven models
This is seeming that Maruti is planning to counter the offensive by competitors like GM, Ford and Volkswagen. Maruti plans as many as seven models in next 12-18months. We already reported you about the launch of Kizashi,SX4 diesel and new swift. Four more models will attach up. The key point here is Maruti plans not only includes small cars but also MPVs and Sedans. Call it an etios effect? Maruti plans to launch the new Dzire based on new swift platform soon. The new dzire will be sub 4-meter and will enjoy the excise advantage of small car. MPV based on RIII concept will hit the market by end 2011 or 2012 auto expo. Maruti RIII MPV is expected to take on the likes of Mahindra Xylo and Tata Sumo grande. Maruti also plans a diesel variant of gypsy or compact SUV (might be Jimny wagon). Maruti could use suzuki’s partnership with Volkswagen for its diesel requirement. In addition to all these, Maruti also plans another small car in the alto segment.
Thar Effect: Maruti Gypsy out, Suzuki Jimny in?
The Maruti Gypsy is known as a mountain goat amongst the off roading circuit who love the Gypsy for it’s agility and go anywhere capability. With more comfortable SUVs available in the Indian car market, only the most diehard Gypsy fans and off roading enthusiasts still buy the fuel injected Maruti Gypsy King, which incidentally is still available as a made-to-order car from Maruti Suzuki. The majority of the Gypsy sales still come from the prepared armed forces and the Police forces across the country. The cold, hard reality that the Maruti Gypsy is on it’s last legs is an indisputable fact and for quite some time now, talk about the Gypsy’s successor has been doing the rounds.
Today, our friends over at Wheels Unplugged have carried a story about Maruti Suzuki mulling an entry stage SUV on the lines of the two door Suzuki Jimny, but with the addition of two more doors to suit Indian preferences. Also, the petrol engine will be dumped in favour of a ordinary rail diesel mill that will be more frugal as well more torquier than equivalent petrol engines, in other words, the perfect engine in SUV territory. Coming to the Suzuki Jimny, this SUV which was designed as the Gypsy’s successor has, for long been selling in many countries across the world including the Japanese Domestic Market. Highly acclaimed for it’s impeccable off road manners, the Suzuki Jimny has been a standard staple among the off roading crowd with many likening the Jimny to a condensed account of the Land Rover Defender and that is quite a comparison to make, especially considering the massive cred the Land Rover Defender enjoys. The engine options in the global models of the Jimny is the 1.3 Liter, Tried and Tested Suzuki M13A DOHC Petrol mill producing about 80 Bhp of shove and 110 Nm of torque. What most serious off roaders would be intersted is the diesel engined Jimny, which comes with Renault’s acclaimed K9K Common Rail Diesel good for about 85 Bhp of power and 200 Nm of solid twist force.
While the Renault mill has gamely powered the Jimny on, in India, Suzuki’s tie up with Volkswagen for Diesel engines might just spawn a common rail diesel engine from the Volkswagen stables, which probably could be the 1.2 Liter CR Diesels that is used in Volkswagen Polo Hatchback. We would still like Maruti to outfit the Indian Jimny with the 1.3 Liter FIAT Multijet Diesel Engine which is the class leader when it comes to small diesel engines that are both frugal and powerful.Throw in a five pace manual gearbox or the optional automatic gearbox with an All Wheel Drive option, the mountain goat to replace another mountain goat is all set to travel into India. But all isn’t hunky dory for the Jimny. The Jimny, like the Gypsy doesn’t exactly love corner carving and the handling still remains MUVish than that which would rival a Sedan. While that is acceptable for a hard core off roader, what Maruti really needs to act on is the ride quality of the Jimny that definitely would need some sorting out as the Gypsy King is abhorred by families for the bone shattering ride it offers on tarmac. So, that is one aspect Maruti needs to look at if it expects more families to buy the Jimny as a second car. So, there, that is the Suzuki Jimny for you, which could be brought to India as the Maruti Suzuki Jimny at INR 6-7 Lakhs if Maruti finds the now launched Mahindra Thar to be a brisk seller amongst the Indian off roading crowd. Like they say, god bless competition.
Maruti Suzuki will launch the Kizashi on the 28th Jan 2011
Maruti Suzuki will launch the Kizashi on the 28th of January, 2011. This will be the company’s first foray into the D-segment market which has been dominated by the likes of Honda and Skoda. The Maruti Kizashi will be priced around Rs. 16 lakhs and will be powered by a 2400cc DOHC inline four-cylinder engine producing the maximum poer of 185 bhp at 6500 Rpm with minimum torqueof 235Nm at 4000rpm. The Kizashi will be a CBU and depending on the success of the car in India, Maruti will consider local assembly.
The Kizashi features All Wheel Drive, 18-inch alloy wheels, Electronic Stability Program, 8-airbags, optional Rockford Fosgate 425 watts speakers and 6-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The Kizashi might not feature the Maruti badge at all and will be branded as a Suzuki only.