Maruti Suzuki Bets Big On SUVs
Maruti Suzuki wants to shift its focus to bigger cars as the company looks to diversify from a small car maker. The company has been known for being a manufacturer of small, efficient vehicles but is now looking at more profitable segments. The Ertiga has been doing very well and is the only successful big car from Maruti Suzuki. Other cars like the Grand Vitara and Kizashi have failed to get India’s largest car maker any volumes. Thus the company plans to launch more UVs in the future.
The Japanese automaker wants to compete in the compact SUV segment and the XAalpha Concept could be brought to life by 2014. Looking at the increasing demand for compact SUVs, Maruti Suzuki is looking at competing with Renault’s Duster and Ford’s upcoming EcoSport. General Motors in all likely hood will launch the Trax compact SUV in the Indian market next year. Hyundai too is working on a compact SUV, while Honda is expected to launch a crossover based on the Brio platform. Toyota is conduction a feasibility study as well.
However its not just the XAalpha and Ertiga which will lead the charge for Maruti Suzuki. The car maker is also developing a crossover based on the SX4 platform. This crossover could be the the Suzuki S-Cross Concept which will be unveiled at the upcoming Paris Motor Show next month. The company is also contemplating local assembly of the Grand Vitara, which could see a good price reduction to the tune of Rs. 4 lakhs. It is likely to compete with Mahindra’s XUV500 and Tata Motors’ Safari Storme. Suzuki recently facelifted the Grand Vitara and the updated model is expected to hit our shores next year.
