Maruti gearing up to launch Ertiga by March 2012

Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) is planning to launch its third new model in India in less than three months by rolling out the Ertiga in March 2012. Earlier, the manufacturer had unveiled its new and improved A-Star and Swift DZire in India. Though there were no confirmations regarding the price, the manufacturer has said that 'it will be attractively priced'. Thus, there were speculations that the company's first Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) will hit the roads with a price tag of Rs. 6-7 lacs.

The manufacturer's 14th model in the domestic market, Ertiga will be crucial to the company's aim of reclaiming the market share it lost last year due to production problems and adverse market conditions. While it had enjoyed a 45 per cent share of the Indian auto industry till its problems began last year, now it accounts for less than 40 per cent of the total pie. Maruti Suzuki is looking forward to improving its sales in the market by launching new models and focussing on diesel engines.

Maruti gearing up to launch Ertiga by March 2012

Shinzo Nakanishi, Maruti's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “With the Ertiga, Maruti Suzuki will mark its entry in the utility vehicle segment in India. For Suzuki, it is another fine example of its expertise in developing technologies for fuel efficient, light weight compact cars. Ertiga is very significant not only for Maruti but for [parent] Suzuki Motor Corp. as well.”

The car maker had worked on this MPV at its research and development centre at India and Japan, though it will be produced only at its Manesar plant. Just like the A-Star, Maruti will manufacture the new car in India for local as well as international sales. Ertiga will be available with a 1.3 L diesel engine that delivers mileage of 20.77 kmpl as well as an all-new K-Series 1.4 L petrol engine.

Ertiga will also mark Maruti's entry in the booming Utility Vehicle (UV) segment, which is responsible for a 15 per cent share of the domestic passenger car market. Out of the total UVs present in the country, MPVs account for a total of 66 per cent, with Mahindra Xylo, Nissan Evalia and Premier Rio being Ertiga's biggest competitors.