Auto Expo 2012: Maruti
to launch 4 new cars across segments this year
NEW DELHI: India's largest
carmaker Maruti Suzuki plans to launch at least four cars in 2012 across
different segments to shrug off a forgettable 2011 and regain market share that
dipped below 40% this fiscal.
The company plans to enter the
multi-passenger segment with its all-new Ertiga, while a compact version of its
highly-popular Dzire would hit the market next month. The Ertiga will be
powered by the K14 (1.4-litre) engine and will also have a 1.3 litre multijet
diesel variant. It aims to regain 50% market share by 2015 even though it fears
a massive dip in production this year.
"Our sales will drop in this
fiscal compared to 2010-11. We lost about 1,00,000 units this fiscal due to
strikes, and the slowdown has also impacted demand for certain vehicles,"
Maruti Suzuki India (MSI ) managing director and CEO S. Nakanishi said at the
11th Auto Expo in Delhi on Thursday.
Maruti also plans to upgrade its
largest selling small car Alto, which was launched in 1999, and continues to
rule the roads even today. Alto is the largest selling car in the world, and
the all-new model is likely to boost its fortunes in the small car segment.
Besides, the company intends to roll out a brandnew entry level 800 that would
go on to replace its oldest selling car, the M800.