DriveBlog

Maruti's greatest hit!

Talk about your reputation preceding you. Being billed as Maruti's first 'real' launch in over 20 years, the Suzuki Swift seems like it's going to make its debut in a market that's laden with big, big expectations. But by the look of things, Maruti's premium compact (which will put a whole new spin on the whole Getz vs. Fusion battle - one that the Fusion admittedly seems to be winning at the moment) seems like it'll be able to take all that and more well within its stride. And what's more, it seems set to make a rather starry-eyed debut!

Also see:
Autocar reviews the Suzuki Swift
The Swift promises bigger, better, more

In passing...

Cutting very quickly to the chase:

• Hyundai India will partner with Tata Indicom to implement and maintain their Global Dealer Management System (GDMS). Hyundai will make use of a web-based backbone to help their dealers be 'more connected' with the HMIL mother ship.
• Closing out last year on 1 million units, motown's still walkin' on sunshine as it finished January 2005 with a sale of 1 lakh units, also a first. As expected, Maruti, Tata and Hyundai lead the pack.
• Small things are now beginning to come in much safer packages. Though it's never been too high on the average Indian carbuyer's priority list, carmakers are starting to take safety very seriously. And they're starting right at the bottom.
• Tubeless tyres are finding the Indian roadscape a tough hill to climb.
• They're calling it 'one country, one price'. Wherever in in India you buy it, the 'new' Mitsubishi Lancer LX is yours for Rs. 693000. Hindustan Motors is hoping that this 'affordable' price point wil help double sales.
• For the first time since mid 2004, the Alto upstages the M800 as the best selling car from the Maruti stable.
• Toyota has 'small' plans for India.

What's your opportunities share?

Leave it to the market leader to redefine the way the business is looked at. For Maruti Udyog, marketshare is passe. They'd rather look at how many new opportunities they can create for themselves and more importantly, how many of those can be translated into real business? 'Opportunities share' - the MD's favourite new catchphrase is...well, catching on.

Maruti's cool schools

Now this is something that the anything-but-dull roads and traffic situations in India [link via Route79] could definitely do with. In what seems like a 'give-back-to-the-Indian-driving-public-what-it-gave-to-you' gesture, Maruti Udyog Limited has announced plans to introduce new driving schools of world-class standard, where they will impart, among other things, 'attitude training to deal with different situations on the road'.

The Euro'pain' angle

Respective spokespersons (read CEOs) of the various car companies continue to differ in opinion on how badly the rise in prices due to the adoption of new Euro III technology will hit demand. Maruti may have good reason to be worried as steep hikes could mean anything but good for most of their models, which are at the entry-level, more price-sensitive end of the market. And there's no better example of that than the M800.

Update: The new and improved M800 will now not only conform to the latest emission norms but will also sport spiffier interiors, headlamps and come in 3 new colours. All this, of course, at an added price.

The Wheels of Bureaucracy

Indian babudom will now get around in style. Maruti has secured approval from the Central Government to launch, at just over Rs. 3 lakhs, a much pared-down (how does a non-AC car in New Delhi make any sense?) version of the Esteem sedan called the 'Standard' that has been accorded 'official staff car' status for government officials. Now where does that leave the Amby?

Indulge your 'Zen'ses

Own a Maruti Zen? Then you might want to sign up for The Zen Customer Meet. Car races for the family, drive-in movies and a day of 'rejuvenation for the body, mind and soul' are some of the activities that Zen owners can take part in as part of the celebrations for the Zen being adjudged the 'Best Premium Contact Car' in the Total Customer Satisfaction 2004 Study.

Indian Top 10

Of the 10 top-selling cars in India in 2004:

• 6 of them were small cars
• the remaining 4 were 2 mid-sizers and 2 SUVs
• 4 of the top 6 six small cars were Maruti brands
• the top 6 cars accounted for more than half of the 1 million cars sold during the year
• the 3 bestselling cars - the M800, the Alto and the Santro all sold over 100000 units each
• the M800, the Alto and the Honda City led the numbers in each of their respective segments

Eurotrip!

After yesterday's price hike (if you can call it that), Maruti today unveiled Bharat Stage III variants of their Zen, WagonR and Baleno models, all of which are going to be dearer by Rs. 10000 - Rs. 15000.

Hyundai was the first Indian company to make its cars BSIII compliant when they launched the Accent CRDi in 2002.

The Indian equivalent of the Euro III emission norms will come into force on the 1st of April 2005 in 11 Indian cities to begin with. These norms aim to bring down levels of Nitrogen Oxides and Particle Matter emitted by motor vehicles. It also means work for the oil companies as the more stringent norms mean that sulphur content in petrol and diesel will have to be reduced.

Funny though, that just as we get set to adopt Euro III, the European Union will, very shortly, move on to Euro IV.

Smart, very smart...

Maruti announced the imminent new year price hike on all their variants except the M800 today. But they have, at the same time, brought in a limited period discount offer dishing out benefits ranging from Rs. 7000 to Rs. 30000, depending on the model. A sampler: The Zen will now be dearer by about Rs. 2000, while the benefit package (that includes free insurance and other goodies) on the car is worth Rs. 28000!

You just have to hand it to MUL...