Maruti gears up for competition with new models

CUSTOMERS are set to benefit from the competition in the auto market. As global OEMs set up shop here with an eye on Maruti’s dominant market share in the compact car segment, Maruti Udyog (MUL) is itself gearing up for the challenge, strengthening its product offerings. While it intends to bring in a product to replace the Baleno (in the A 3 segment) in 3-4 months, MUL is also set to strengthen its position in the Esteem segment. The Esteem has monthly sales volumes of over 2,000 units and MUL is expected to introduce another platform in the category. The A3 category has players like Honda City. As per its announcement, MUL will also bring in the upgraded Grand Vitara, its sports utility vehicle (SUV), in the next fiscal. Given that the domestic market is dominated by sedans and is attracting global OEMs, MUL is expected to bring in an entry level sedan, too, MUL sales & marketing director Shuji Oashi said. Mr Oashi, who was in Pune for the inauguration of its sixth dealer showroom here, said MUL was determined to retain its leadership in the small car segment. He repeated MUL’s stated position that a large car in the A4 category of the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Accord will take another couple of years to make its entry in India. Suzuki’s portfolio does not cover this segment, which has to be developed, and hence the two year wait. MUL chief general manager Arun Malhotra added that the diesel Swift, launched in January 2007, has a waiting period of 45-60 days. MUL is producing 2,500 diesel Swifts a month but the waiting list continues. He added that exports of the diesel engines to Suzuki’s plant in Hungary will begin from July 2007, targeted at the European diesel market.

Courtesy: EconomicTimes
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