Post-SX4, Maruti plans competitor for Honda Civic by 2009-10
Zeenews.com :August 26,2007
New Delhi, Aug 26: After setting out to play the bigger game with its latest Sedan SX4, the country's largest carmaker Maruti Udyog is planning to launch a bigger car by 2009-10 that will take on the likes of Honda Civic.
Moreover, the company will be driving into sunset one of its oldest models, Esteem. A Sedan version of runaway success 'Swift' is coming in its place by next year.
According to vendor sources, MUL has already sounded its major component suppliers to gear up for a "big car" project, which will be launched by 2009-10.
Incidentally, the company is also scheduled to launch a new compact car in 2009, which primarily would cater to the European market, but plans are to launch it in the domestic market as well.
MUL officials declined to comment on its future plans.
Industry sources, however, said the "big car" from the MUL stable will compete with the likes of Honda Civic, one of the most successful models in the fast growing A4 segment, and others such as Toyota Corolla and Skoda Octavia rider that come in a price bracket of Rs 10-12 lakh.
MUL's plan to play the bigger game is buoyed by the success of its SX4 sedan, which successfully made a dent in the segment led by Honda Siel cars India's 'City' model.
Globally also, Maruti's parent company Suzuki Motor Corp has sought an image makeover from being a successful small car maker to a firm with competence in big cars as well.
The sources also said MUL has decided to bring the curtains down on Esteem, 13 years after it was launched with a 1.3 litre petrol engine.
The new Swift Sedan is expected in both petrol and diesel engine variants, they said.
The sources, however, said the company would continue to provide service support to its esteem model, as it had done in the past with its models that have been phased out.
Although Esteem is still in demand, specially from fleet operators, the company decided to bring in the Swift Sedan considering competition in the mid-sized Sedan segment, including Tata Motor's new generation Indigo series to be launched next year, the sources added.
