However, this also indicates that MUL is all set to announce another diesel car in its line-up within next one year as it is unlikely that Swift diesel alone could notch up sales of 3 lakh units per annum even in the next three years. Whether the new plant will cater to third party sale of engines, or is meant for its own consumption, is not clear as the company does not want to give out any details right now.
Khattar refused to comment when asked if Maruti has plans to launch any other car in diesel or CNG/LPG fuel version. Before Swift Diesel, MUL had launched the redone WagonR in a LPG variant and it has been selling like hot cakes.
The company would launch two more cars by the end of this calendar year. Though Khattar did not give details, one of these would be the new, completely redone mid-sized sedan to replace the existing Baleno which has recently been discontinued.
Other than the rather dated entry-level sedan Esteem - whose sales have been dwindling - Maruti does not have any other offering in the mid-size segment and none whatsoever in the premium segment. Even the sales of its only sports utility vehicle (SUV) Grand Vitara have been abysmal.
Swift currently comes in eight, mostly vibrant, colours. The three new colours are Arctic white, Ozone blue and Iridium blue. It will be offered in two variants LDI, priced at Rs 4.68 lakh, and VDI, priced at Rs 4.96 lakh respectively.
A sporty version of Swift is also on the cards. However, it is unlikely anytime soon as the company is keen to take on Honda, Hyundai and Toyota by diversifying and broad-basing its portfolio as competition is gearing up to challenge MUL on its home turf in a big way.
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