Maruti Suzuki Planning to Introduce Another Entry-Level Hatchback

By Carandbike Team

1 mins read

Published on February 10, 2016

Highlights

Maruti Suzuki has revealed that it is planning to bring in another entry-level car into the Indian market. The new A-segment car will be sold along with the company's best-seller, the Maruti Suzuki Alto. Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Managing Director and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa said that the company is currently reviewing the market and will work on the specifics for the new model based on that. He also added that the A-segment was the core of the carmaker's business in the country and that it will continue to focus on that segment. The entry-level category comprises close to 35 per cent of the company's domestic sales volumes. Also Read - After Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Indian Engineers to Head Development for 3-4 New Cars Maruti Suzuki's entry-level segment offerings, the Alto and WagonR, currently face a threat in the form of the Renault Kwid, which has been quite a hit in India and garnered around 1 lakh bookings since its launch in September. In January this year, Maruti Suzuki's A-segment sales saw a year-on-year decline of 4.3 per cent, selling 34,206 units compared to 35,750 units in January 2015. In the April-January period of the current financial year, the A-segment has seen a modest growth of 4.4 per cent. Also Read - Auto Expo 2016: Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Unveiled Although there are no details on what the new car will look like or its specifications, it is likely that Maruti Suzuki will develop a car be on the lines of a crossover with rugged looks and high ground clearance to counter the Renault Kwid. If that is the case, India's biggest carmaker would then slot it under the Maruti Suzuki Ignis, which is set to be launched during the 2016 festive season. Maruti Suzuki will reportedly launch 15 products by 2020 and this entry-level car is likely to be one of them.