Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), the country's largest passenger car maker, has recently launched its 2013 WagonR facelift model in the domestic market. Evidently, the company is yet to introduce a diesel powered variant of its 'Tall Boy' WagonR in the country. At present, Maruti Suzuki offers the most diverse budget car options to domestic car enthusiasts and has tasted some glorious success in sales of both petrol and diesel fuelled models in Indian auto market. However, the company has missed greatly a diesel WagonR hatchback, which led Indian car enthusiasts to opt for other models, such as Chevrolet Beat, Tata Indica eV2 and Tata Indica Vista, among others.
The diesel option in WagonR brand seems like an extremely profitable venture from Maruti Suzuki's perspective the in Indian auto market. The company has been recording some impressive sales in its diesel powered product portfolio, comprising the likes of Swift premium hatch, Swift DZire entry-level sedan and Ertiga Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV). Accordingly, if introduced with a diesel power-mill under its hood, the WagonR could steer domestic car enthusiasts towards Maruti Suzuki's retail stores in the country. The prevalent positive sentiments witnessed among Indian buyers towards diesel-run vehicles, render the idea of a diesel WagonR utmost promising and brilliant from overall market perspective.
The diesel WagonR model is anticipated to come fitted with 1.0 litre powertrain, which could deliver an impressive fuel efficiency of around 25 kmpl. Hence, many domestic car enthusiasts are following the proceedings related with diesel WagonR closely with some great interest. Further, Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), the country's second largest passenger car maker, has also revealed intentions to introduce a diesel-run variant of its i10 hatchback in Indian auto market. Hence, if launched both Maruti Suzuki WagonR and Hyundai i10 diesel models could make an exciting contest in the domestic passenger car market.
At present, the prominent possible rivals of diesel WagonR available in the country are Chevrolet Beat and Tata Motors' Vista and Indica eV2 hatchbacks. The diesel Beat is offered to domestic audience at a starting price tag of Rs. 4.62 lakhs, whereas base model of diesel Indica eV2 carries a price tag of Rs. 4.01 lakhs in the country. Further, the entry-level trim of Tata Indica Vista hatch is tagged with a retail value of Rs. 4.5 lakhs. Hence, in order to make its WagonR diesel price competitive in the Indian auto market, Maruti Suzuki must embrace pricing strategy around Rs. 3.75 to 4 lakhs.
