Maruti Suzuki is now going to strengthen its position even more in the small car market, where it already has a strong hold when it comes to 800CC cars. Maruti will launch a stripped down version of Maruti Alto and will be price up to Rs. 2 Lakh. Currently the newly launched BS4 version of Maruti Alto starts at a price of Rs. 2.63 Lakh ex-showroom in Delhi.
Considering the price of the current models of Maruti Alto in India, this is a price difference of about 30 % which can be a game changer altogether for the upcoming cars like Hyundai 800 , Nissan Micra, Chevrolet Spark, and also to Tata Nano with its price already approaching Rs. 1.5 Lakh.
Specifications Of Rs. 2 Lakh Maruti Alto
The stripped down version of Maruti Alto is expected to be fitted with the 1 Litre MPFI Petrol Engine of K-Series, the same one which comes fitted in Maruti A-Star. The engine will be fully compliant with the BS-IV emission norms. To keep the price to bare minimum, the car may do away with some of its cosmetic features like body-colored bumpers. Also the likely strip-downs may include new and cheaper seats, some changes in interior qualities.
This target can also be more easily achieved by cutting down costs on the car components by getting them from localized supply chain, thus reducing the transport cost of the components which are imported from other states or countries. To strengthen its positing in this segment, Maruti may also be lowering its own profit margins slightly to make it happen.
The Rs. 2 Lakh Maruti Alto will fill the gap created by phasing out of Maruti 800 after BS4 emission norms have come into place. Maruti 800 has been Maruti’s flagship car for many years before the Alto actually came and left it behind in sales number. Its like a win-win situation for Maruti as well as the car buyers as they will get a more stylish looking car than Maruti 800 almost at the price of a Maruti 800.
I will keep an eye on the developments of the same and keep you posted about the upcoming announcements. Meanwhile the Maruti Wagon R 2010 variant with K-Series Engine will be officially launched on 23 April 2010. Check out –