New Maruti Zen In Great Demand In Sri Lanka!

The latest Maruti-Suzuki-Zen car that was designed to take on the other major competitors in the small-car segment in India, has become a rage in the island country.

Associated Motorways (AWW), the sole agent for Suzuki-Maruti in Sri Lanka has placed orders for Zen cars from the Suzuki manufacturing plant in India following high demand.

Despite the fact that prospects of car sales in Sri Lanka was not attractive as in other countries due to the country's economic condition, Maruti-Suzuki has found high demand for its latest Zen version.

Total car sales in Sri Lanka in 2006 was estimated at over 26,500. This year, however, the figures may not be encouraging. But, it is felt that tax concessions from the Sri Lankan government under the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement would help revive automobile demand from India and improve sales.

A spokesman for the Maruti Suzuki, erstwhile Maruti Udyog Ltd, sales centre at Borella near Colombo told the 'Sunday Observer' that the first shipment of Zen has been reserved only for 'car permit' holders.

"It will take at least two months for the cars to arrive in Sri Lanka," he said, adding that the car's futuristic design and a high spirited engine have attracted small car lovers.

"With a tried and tested engine, the new Zen Estilo is undoubtedly a stylish package that should attract a number of young buyers," the newspaper commented in its special page on automobiles.

Meanwhile, Maruti also plans to ship 1,000 units of the model every month to Indonesia to meet the market demand. "The Indonesian small-car market is small, while the overall auto market there is dominated by SUVs. However, with the launch of Estilo since a few months back, we have been able to capture about 60 per cent of the compact car market," said a company spokesperson in New Delhi.

The spokesperson said Maruti Suzuki is focusing on the non-European market, with sales having grown by over 65 per cent in Middle-East, Africa, South Asia and South America.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/

Suzuki, Maruti And Fiat Plan $18 Million Investment in India

Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp, its Indian unit Maruti and Fiat's Magneti Marelli have agreed to invest around 18 million U.S. dollars together to build electronic control units (ECUs) of diesel engines in India, the Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) said Thursday.

They will set up a manufacturing unit at Manesar in the north Indian state of Haryana, which is likely to start operations by the end of 2008, it said in a statement.

The proposed facility will be able to make 500,000 ECUs annually.

Magneti Marelli will hold a 51 per cent stake, the Suzuki Motor Corporation 30 percent and the MSIL, India's biggest carmaker, 19percent in the new company.

"The joint venture with Suzuki and Maruti significantly strengthens an important partnership already in existence, giving the car maker the possibility to rely on competitive systems featuring cutting-edge technology and the components maker the chance to increase its presence in a strategic and fast-growing market," Magneti Marelli chief executive officer Eugenio Razelli said in the statement.

Maruti Suzuki One Up On Parent

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, for the first time, has raced past its Japanese parent Suzuki Motor in sales.

The rising income in India fuelled demand for Maruti cars in the country. Maruti Suzuki sold 336,758 cars, vans and sports utility vehicles in India between April and September, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) said. In comparison, Suzuki sold 315,000 units in Japan during the same period, according to spokesperson Takuma Mizuyoshi.

Suzuki and other car makers plan to spend more than $6 billion on new facilities to meet the growing demand for passenger cars in India. The overseas expansion is expected to compensate for the sluggish demand in Japan.

“This is significant and it’s a pointer to other companies on the potential India holds for the future,” said K.K. Mittal, a fund manager at Escorts Asset Management.

The Maruti feat is in contrast with the September vehicle sales figure released by SIAM today. Total sales in the domestic market fell by 9.58 per cent with passenger vehicle sales posting a single-digit growth, despite rising car sales.

Already hit hard by rising interest rates, the industry suffered a double whammy with car exports declining by 8.25 per cent during September, thanks to the appreciating rupee.

The two-wheeler segment continued its dismal performance registering a 13.17 per cent fall, while motorcycle sales skid by 18.40 per cent.

Total vehicle sales in the domestic market stood at 8,89,693 units compared with 9,83,983 units in the same month last year.

Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071011/asp/business/story_8421217.asp

Maruti Udyog Is All Set To Launch Swift Sedan

The Esteem has finally run out of steam. Maruti Udyog is all set to launch a new sedan based on the Swift platform in January next year, to replace one of its most successful models. And that is not all. India’s largest carmaker has put together an exciting array of models such as, the small car Splash, the SUV Jimny as well as a ‘big’ car (read Kizashi Concept) to take on the likes of the Honda Civic and Skoda Octavia.

A source close to the company confirmed that production of the Esteem has already been stopped. But when contacted this is what a company spokesperson had to say: “The production of the Esteem is going to continue for the next 3-4 months. But Esteem owners can rest easy, as we would continue to provide service and spare parts to support the model, as always done in the past with other models that have been phased out.”

A top Maruti official said, “We will be launching the Swift Sedan shortly.” The new sedan will be priced lower than the SX4 and is touted to come in two variants, a new-generation 1.3-litre multi–jet diesel engine and in a 1.3-litre petrol variant.

The diesel variant will give Maruti the edge to fight the likes of the Indica and Indigo twins from Tata Motors and also take the fight to Hyundai’s diesel variants. Also according to well-placed sources, Maruti has asked its vendors to get ready to supply components for its big car project.

The concept car called the Kizashi was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2007 and it is also supposed to be displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show next month. When launched it will compete with cars in the A4 segment, which has the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Skoda Octavia Rider coming in the price bracket of Rs10-12 lakh.

The company’s plan to go to the next level is driven by the success of the SX4, which has made the Honda’s City a bit jittery. The big car foray is also in step with the global plans of Maruti’s parent company, Suzuki Motor Corp, which desperately wants an image makeover from a successful small carmaker to a manufacturer with competence in bigger cars as well. The company is also scheduled to launch a new compact car (read Splash) in 2009.

A company source said, “The Splash is going to take a little time.” The cheeky Splash comes with three-engine options-a 65 bhp, 1,000cc three-cylinder petrol, a 85 bhp 1,400cc four-cylinder petrol and a 75 bhp 1,300cc four-cylinder turbo diesel.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Auto/Maruti_Udyog_is_all_set_to_launch_Swift_Sedan/articleshow/2435774.cms

Maruti Reduces Discount On Alto, Omni And M800

The reduction in discount is in line with the company’s expectation of a good demand of Alto, Omni and Maruti 800.

Expecting a bullish demand in the festive season, car market leader Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) has decreased discounts on its best-selling hatch Alto and flagship Maruti 800 by Rs1,000 and Rs4,000 respectively.

The company was offering a discount of Rs11,000 on Alto, which will now come down to Rs10,000, while discount on Maruti 800 would drop to Rs8,000 from Rs12,000 earlier.
The reduction in discount is in line with the company’s expectation of a good demand of Alto, Omni and Maruti 800, sources said.

MSIL would continue offering discounts on various models except Swift and SX4.
It currently offers Rs18,000 discount on Wagon-R petrol and Zen Estilo, while Rs3,000 is off on Wagon-R LPG. A heavy discount of Rs30,000 is being offered on Esteem, which is expected to be phased out by next year.

The company is offering a discount of Rs10,000 on its multi-utility vehicle Versa. The discount on Omni, however, has been reduced to Rs6,000 from previous month’s Rs7,000.

Source: http://www.livemint.com/2007/10/10122806/Maruti-reduces-discount-on-Alt.html

Maruti To Set Up Auto Park

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd will set up a 100-acre auto component park for its suppliers at Manesar. The facility is expected to attract big names from Japan.

Industry sources said the Foreign Investment Promotion Board would soon take up the proposal of a Rs 182.16-crore joint venture between Futuba Industrial Company Limited and Maruti Suzuki.

Maruti will hold a 49 per cent stake in the joint venture. This will be Futuba’s first project outside Japan.

Sources said Japan-based Bellsonica Corporation would also set up base at the component park.

Last year, the company signed an agreement with Maruti for car body components, including high-tensile steel parts. Maruti Suzuki will hold a 30 per cent stake in the joint venture — Bellsonica Auto Component Private Limited — with the rest being held by Bellsonica.

Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070919/asp/business/story_8333431.asp

Maruti Forum

Happy news to Maruti Suzuki enthusiasts! A free discussion place is now available for all users to discuss their maruti suzuki related problems. Maruti Suzuki Users' Forum, http://www.marutisuzukitalk.com/ is the first of this kind available to the Maruti users.

Maruti-Suzuki Vehicle Users' Forum is an unofficial Maruti Suzuki discussion forum and one stop resource for all Maruti-Suzuki related issues. The forum topics including all types of Maruti vehicles maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. There are discussions on many Maruti related topics and models including the popular Maruti 800, Maruti Zen, Maruti Estilo, Maruti Alto, Maruti Swift, Suzuki SX4, Maruti Wagon R, Suzuki Baleno, Maturi Esteem, Maruti Omni, Maruti Gypsy, Maruti Versa, Suzuki Grand Vitara, etc..

You may visit the forum site Maruti Suzuki Forum and surf there freely to search your queries. But if you want to post your questions or comments, you need to register. Registration is absolutely FREE. Good luck and enjoy the Maruti forum.

Discount Schemes Help Maruti Beat Interest Rate Blues

Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) on Friday said various discount schemes coupled with a few launches helped the company offset the impact of high interest rates on its sales during the current fiscal.

"Our discount schemes gave us good numbers this year. There has been an impact of high interest rates on car sales but we have been able to offset the impact by introducing new sales scheme," MSIL Vice-President (Marketing) Mayank Parekh told reporters here.

MSIL has introduced several new schemes to boost sales like Wheels of India' for state government employees, First Class Offer for railway employees, Power Deal for NTPC staff, Steel Wheel for SAIL, scheme for teachers, panchayat scheme for rural consumers and lalkaar - an employee referral scheme.

"These schemes were not there during the previous fiscal and have impacted sales positively this year. We would continue with these schemes to push up sales," Parekh said.

He said the company witnessed a high growth during first half of current fiscal due to a low sales base during the same period last fiscal.

"We had a low sales base during the first half of last fiscal compared to the same period in this fiscal. Sales in H2 of FY06-07 picked up and we may see a correction in growth figures year-on-year," he added.

MSIL reported 19 per cent rise in sales during April to August period of current fiscal at 2, 73,672 units against 2,30,016 units in the same period last fiscal.

The company's sales in August also showed an over 24 per cent jump at 60,229 units compared to 48,259 units in the same month last year.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News_by_Industry/Discount_schemes_help_Maruti_beat_interest_rate_blues/articleshow/2411848.cms