Suzuki Kizashi unveiled in the US
Just three months away from its 100th birthday, Suzuki has unveiled the new Kizashi 'sport sedan' in the US. This is a major step for Suzuki, which, as a brand, is associated with smaller cars and motorcycles.
Built at Suzuki's brand-new manufacturing facility in Sagara, Japan, the 2010 Kizashi is equipped with a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder engine. This was to be expected since the bestselling Toyota Camry and Honda Accord - the Kizashi's main competitors - are also equipped with 2.4-litre, four-cylinder engines. Suzuki claims its engine is more powerful and fuel-efficient than the competition's offerings, though specific figures have not been quoted at this time. Also, Suzuki has announced that a hybrid version of the Kizashi will be launched soon.
The Kizashi comes with a choice of six-speed manual and CVT transmissions. Also, the car features Suzuki's i-AWD all-wheel-drive system, rather than front-wheel-drive which is the norm in this segment. The driver can choose to activate AWD while on the move and this will, according to Suzuki, provide improved roadholding and sure-footed handling, especially in tricky weather and on slippery roads. Suzuki claims the Kizashi has been engineered for the driving enthusiast and the chassis/suspension have been optimised for crisp, nimble handling combined with excellent stability.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Maruti to invest Rs 2,000 crore towards capacity expansion
In a move aimed at cutting down on the waiting period for some of its popular cars, Maruti Suzuki is planning to boost production at its plant in Manesar, Haryana. The company, which will spend more than Rs 2,000 crore towards retooling and capacity expansion, hopes to increase its total production capacity to 10 lakh units per annum by the end of the current fiscal.
In addition to launching a thoroughly revamped Swift (possibly with a K-series 1.2-litre petrol engine replacing the current 1.3-litre unit) by the end of this year, Maruti is also looking at freshening up some of its older cars, including the 800, Wagon R, Alto and Versa. However, contrary to some earlier reports in the media, Maruti still maintains that it has no plans to relaunch the Gypsy with a 1.3-litre diesel engine.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Maruti Suzuki Q1 net profit up 25.3%
During April-June 2009, Maruti Suzuki registered net sales of Rs 6,340 crore, a growth of 34% compared to April-June 2008 figures. Net profit during the period was Rs 583.5 crore, as against Rs 465.9 crore during the year-ago period, a growth of 25.3%
Total sales during April-June 2009 stood at 226,729 units, a 17.7% growth over the corresponding period in 2008. (The figure includes exports of 29,314 units, a 134.7% growth over exports in the corresponding period last year.) Since its first shipment in January 2009, the A-Star has led Maruti's exports, with cumulative exports crossing the 45,000 units mark in June this year.
Domestic sales volume grew by 9.6% to 197,415 units, led by new models A-star and Ritz, as well as Alto, Swift, Swift DZire and Wagon R. During the quarter, Maruti Suzuki's volume in the domestic A2 segment grew by 17%, while in the A3 segment the sales volume grew by 25.1% as compared to sales in April-June 2008.
During the quarter, Maruti further strengthened its network, with the sales network growing to 702 outlets covering 478 cities. The service network increased to 2,779 outlets covering 1,324 cities.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Maruti Launches Mascot For WagonR
In a bid to revitalise the Maruti WagonR brand, Maruti Suzuki India has launched a mascot 'Mr WizeR' to represent the model. The mascot with its smart and witty traits is an amalgamation of the brand name 'WagonR' and 'Wise' is meant to represent the WagonR customers. The company aims to take the initiative to all media domains and is planning to have the cartoon character as the face of future campaigns across print, TV and Internet.
"WagonR will be an integral part of the storyline and the brand fit will be merged with the story. Though 'Mr WizeR' has a modern outlook, he is deeply rooted in the Indian value system,"Lintas Media Group, the creater of the character, said.
[Via: motorbeam]
Maruti Suzuki Alto CNG Launched
Maruti Suzuki launched the CNG variant of its Alto. The 800cc powered gasoline engine now has an option to power it with CNG. The Maruti CNG authorized kit is priced at Rs 43,545 and will be available across the variants of the Alto. The CNG kit come with a 12 Kg cylinder tank which can accomodate 7-705 kgs of CNG.
The company said in a statement, ""The Maruti-authorised CNG kits will be available across variants of brand new Maruti Suzuki Alto at dealerships in only Delhi and NCR from June 17 onwards." The Alto will can store about 7.5kg of CNG. By 2010, Alto will be available in LPG variant as well.
[Via: CW]
Maruti Launches Alto Flash
After the success of Alto Xcite Limited Edition now Maruti has added some more spice in their bread and butter model with the launch of Alto Flash.
In addition to all the features of Lxi model this limited edition Flash variant comes with following new features:
1) Body graphics on body panels.
2) Body coloured bumper, door moulding & feather touch door mirrors
3) Refreshed interior with new art leather seat covers.
4) Front power windows.
5) Flash - Limited Edition Badge.
Maruti has priced Alto Xcite Rs.18500.00 more than the Lxi model. The new variant is available in five colours:
- Silky silver
- Pearl silver
- Blue blaze
- Fire brick red
- White.
Suzuki India Sells 100 Units Of Superbikes
Suzuki has managed to sell around 100 units of two of its superbikes in India for prices as high as Rs. 12.5 lakh each. The company is now planning to sell at least another 100 units of its two iconic super bikes, the Hayabusa and Intruder by the end of this fiscal. While Hayabusa is powered by a 1,340cc engine, Intruder is a 1,783cc bike.
"We have sold around 100 units of Hayabusa and Intruder in India since their launch in November, 2008. Our aim would be to sell another 100 units this fiscal," Suzuki India Vice President (Sales & Marketing) Atul Gupta said.
[Via: motorbeam]
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 Launched!!
Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the country's largest passenger car manufacturer, today introduced a brand new version of its popular high end SUV - Grand Vitara.
The new Grand Vitara 2.4 comes reloaded with a 2.4 litre VVT (Variable Valve Timing) engine that delivers a maximum power of 163.5 bhp @ 6000 rpm and a torque of 225 NM @ 4000 rpm. The VVT engine on the new Grand Vitara 2.4 delivers a balanced mix of power and efficiency.
The Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV range has always been loved by the customers for its style and handling as well as its off-road capabilities. The new Grand Vitara 2.4 answers the customer's need for more power.
An All-time, 4-mode, 4-Wheel Drive (4WD) continues to ensure effective control across terrains. Disc brakes in the rear wheels, that ensure superior braking, provide additional safety dimension to the Grand Vitara 2.4.
The new Grand Vitara 2.4 is packed with many new features that add style and a bold look. The interior display in the car has been enhanced with a new Multi Information Display (MID) providing easy to read and accurate vehicle information like Cruising range, Average speed and instantaneous fuel consumption, besides "low-fuel" warning. All these add up to enhanced user convenience and driving comfort.
The stylish new front grille and front bumper gives the Grand Vitara a sleeker look while the 17 inch alloy wheels add dynamism. A centre speaker coupled with a 6-CD changer brings in a surround-sound effect. Improved acoustics and a redesigned power train helps in lower noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels. A sliding centre-console armrest adds to passenger comfort.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mayank Pareek, Executive Officer (M&S) Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, "The new version of Grand Vitara takes the three decades of Suzuki SUV heritage to the next level. Highly popular the world over, the Grand Vitara is one of the global strategic models in Suzuki Range. For all those customers, who are increasingly looking at SUVs, the Grand Vitara 2.4 offers more power and the best in class 4X4 drive at a highly competitive price."
The Grand Vitara brand of Suzuki has sold over 2.5 million units worldwide winning over 32 reputed awards across 16 countries. Leading accolades for Grand Vitara include 6 awards in USA, 4 in Germany, 5 in Russia and 3 in Australia.
The new Grand Vitara 2.4 comes in two variants: 5-speed Manual Transmission (5 front + 1 reverse) and 4-speed Automatic Transmission (4 front + 1 reverse). The Grand Vitara 2.4 is available across the country immediately.
The Grand Vitara 2.4 is competitively priced as under:at Rs.16.67 lakh & Rs.17.97 lakh for manual and automatic versions respectively.
Maruti Suzuki sales up 22.63% in June 2009
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. has reported a 22.63% hike in sales in June this year, at 75,109 units, as against 61,247 units June 2008. June 2009 was the sixth consecutive month when Maruti's sales crossed the 70,000 units mark.
Sales in the domestic market grew by 9.51% to 61,773 units in June 2009, up from 56,411 units in the year-ago period. Exports in the same month went up to 13,336 units, compared to 4,836 units in June last year. Maruti's sales in the A3 segment (SX4 and DZire) were up by 5%, at 6,099 units, compared to 5,807 units in June 2008.
Sales of the Maruti 800 went down by 54.52% in June this year, at 2,438 units, as against 5,361 units in June 2008. However, sales of A2 segment cars (Alto, Wagon R, Zen Estilo, Swift, A-Star and Ritz) went up by 22.21%, at 46,156 units, as against 37,767 units in June last year.
[Via: indiaautomotive]