According to the latest reports, India’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki, is going to roll out new line-up of SUVs and MUVs to recaptured its 50% market share in country’s passenger car segment. The new cars might be showed at the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo 2012 in January.
Maruti Suzuki sells 15 models in the Indian market and 12 of these are in the compact vehicle segment. So company is developing new SUVs and MUVs for Indian market with its parent company Japanese Suzuki Motor Corp.
Shinzo Nakanishi, MD & CEO, Maruti Suzuki, said, “There is a vast chunk of market, almost 18% of the passenger vehicles sold in India where we don’t have any presence. So, as we aim to regain our market share and take it to beyond 50%, we will introduce vehicles in the new segment that are not in our current portfolio.”
In the past Maruti Suzuki had tried its hands in Utility Vehicle segment with Maruti Gypsy. But, the model has out-dated now. The company’s premium SUV Grand Vitara could not compete with other high profile SUVs.
The company is all set to launch Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, codenamed R3, at the Delhi Auto Expo 2012.
Maruti Suzuki has lost almost 5% market share this year due to prolonged workers strike due in Manesar plant, from where most new cars roll out.
