Despite slower than expected growth through 2018 and a lack luster festive season, Maruti Suzuki India Limited ended the year on a positive note with over 50% market share. The company expects to enhance its reach even further in 2019 with a target of 2 million units to achieve growth rate of 6-8% in 2019.
Other ambitious plans include expansion of product lineup, introduction of innovative technologies and enhancement of plant capacity with investment to the tune of Rs.14,000 crores and 10-12 new models are lined up for launch.
Maruti Suzuki is also slated to finalize talks with the Haryana Government for the Gurugram facility to be moved to the outskirts of Manesar. New plants in Haryana and Gujarat are also on the cards along with expansion of network while the partnership between Suzuki and Toyota should also be finalized.
Upcoming models from Maruti Suzuki over the next 18 months will include the new gen Alto and Celerio. Maruti is also working on electric WagonR, its first ever electric car for India. Launch of WagonR EV will take place by April 2020. Maruti Suzuki has commenced road tests for launching its Made in India electric car. The company is currently testing Japan-spec 50 electric vehicles. These will help Maruti to gather data and purpose-built a made for India electric car.
Apart from this, Maruti will also update their entire lineup to meet the upcoming safety and emission norms. Last month, they updated the Baleno, and launched new WagonR. This month, they are planning to launch the new Ignis. New BS VI compliant engines will be introduced. The Brezza will get a petrol engine option while the Ciaz and Ertiga will receive a new diesel engine.
In 2020, Maruti Suzuki will also launch their most expensive car in India. It will be a rebadged Toyota Corolla Altis, that will be sold via NEXA outlets. It will sit above the Ciaz in company line-up. To keep costs low, it could be offered with 1.5 liter petrol and diesel engines which are BS6 compliant.
