Besides gearing up for the launch of a new sedan in 2006, MUL is also expected to display two new hatchbacks besides a sports utility vehicle next month.
NEW DELHI: The domestic car market is expected to witness a lot of action in 2006. And the country’s largest car maker, Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL), could just be the catalyst.
Not only is the company gearing up for the launch of a new sedan in the second half of 2006, MUL is also expected to showcase two new hatchbacks besides a sports utility vehicle at the Auto Expo next month.
Escudo, the SUV from Japanese parent Suzuki Motor’s kitty, is going to be unveiled at the Expo next month.
Then, a Wagon R variant, which is known as Solio in some markets, is also going to be on display.
The third new car expected to hit the local roads is the Swift Sport, which, as the name suggests, would a ‘sportier’ version of the premium hatchback.
But will all these cars be launched in the domestic market? MUL officials did not respond to repeated calls by DNA.
But industry sources said that vendors of MUL have been informed that the production of compact car ‘Zen’ will cease from March next year, and Solio could be a replacement for the Zen.
Again, with the Esteem slated for a phase-out sometime during 2006, a new sedan is also expected to hit the roads next year. Sources said that vendors and other stakeholders have already begun work on a car — code-named Model L — which could be a possible replacement for the Esteem. Says automobile expert Ranojoy Mukerji “Esteem has been around since 1994 and it is high time that MUL thinks of a replacement”.
Sources also pointed out that Escudo, which is MUL’s attempt at penetrating the SUV market deeper, will most likely be imported in the CKD format.
However, sounding a word of caution, the head of Synovate Motoresearch India, Anang Dev Jena, said: “The Indian consumer perceives MUL as a small car maker and the company might find it tough to sell a large, over Rs 7 lakh vehicle in the domestic market. Escudo is expected to be priced over Rs 11 lakh, so some savvy marketing is the need of the hour”. MUL is already selling another SUV, called Grand Vitara.
Roll in, roll out
- Maruti to unveil Escudo and Wagon R variant, Solio, next month
- Escudo likely to be priced over Rs 11 lakh
- Maruti may cease production of Zen from next year
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