The Hindu Business Line : Maruti eyes commercial vehicle segment

Chennai May 8 Maruti Udyog would like to enter the commercial vehicle market in India, according to Mr Shuji Oishi, Director - Marketing and Sales of the country's largest car manufacturer.

"Commercial vehicle in India was very attractive. However, we need to first study the market thoroughly. We have the advantage of a network across the country. Suzuki has 1-1.6-litre-engine commercial vehicles that would suit India," he told newspersons during the launch of Maruti Suzuki SX4 sedan car.

Suzuki has around 20 per cent market share in China in the commercial vehicle segment, he said.

Mr Mayank Pareek, Chief General Manager, Marketing, Maruti Udyog, however, said, "we do not have any plan to launch commercial vehicles in India. We are a passenger car manufacturer."

On the SX4 sedan, Mr Pareek said it was not a new Baleno, and has new features like dual air bags. "Baleno was not a failure. It was like a test vehicle and we learnt a lot from Baleno in retail, branding and pricing."

Comparing Baleno with SX4 sedan, Mr Pareek said the latter has the advantage of 79 per cent localisation compared to 40 per cent in Baleno. This gives the new vehicle better value in cost. Maruti's engineers have contributed in making the car suitable for Indian conditions in areas like suspension tuning, ground clearance, engine tuning and seat comfort. Interiors are in tune with the taste of Indian customers. The SX4 sedan would be attractive to the younger generation migrating to a bigger car, he said.

The SX4 sedan is fitted with an advanced M series engine, which represents the future of Suzuki's engine technology. In Chennai, the car has been priced at an introductory offer of Rs 6.31 lakh for SX4 Vxi; Rs 7.02 lakh for SX4 Zxi; and Rs 7.37 lakh for SX4 Zxi leather.

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