Maruti Suzuki with its intense knowhow of Indian market demands is now betting big on Indian buyers looking for an upgrade and has hence launched an aggressive strategy for the next five years which includes 12 new models. The company also plans to enhance market share in the passenger vehicle segment to over 50%. Enhancement of market share is on track with current market share at 46% at the end of August from 42% last fiscal.
Plans are afoot to enter new car segments, in which the car maker has no presence currently. This includes the SUV segment, commercial vehicle segment, premium hatchback, premium MPV, etc. Maruti has already started working on this strategy, with the launch of new Ciaz today. Not only Ciaz marks the end of SX4, but also announces the renewed interest of Maruti Suzuki to capture the premium car segments.
In 2015, Maruti will launch the SX4-S Cross SUV, which will be priced above Rs 10 lakhs. This will compete with the likes of Renault Duster, Mahindra Scorpio, Mahindra XUV500, Nissan Terrano etc. Apart from this, Maruti will also launch a diesel powered LCV, announcing their entry into the commercial vehicle segment.
In 2016, they will launch a compact SUV, which will compete with the under 4 meter SUVs like Ford EcoSport, and yet to be launched cars from Mahindra (S101), Honda, Renault, Datsun, Hyundai, etc. Maruti will also launch Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Polo rival – currently codenamed as YRA hatchback, and a new MPV, which will be premium and sit above the Ertiga.
Apart from these new car launches, Maruti will also launch facelifts of existing variants. Maruti Swift and DZire are set to get facelifts in the coming months, and so is the Alto K10. The remaining models in the line-up too will be refreshed at regular intervals. The basic idea is to enter all the important segments which has demand, and increase market share in India to above 50% by 2018.
via Financial Express
