Why is maruti not doing anything about the Esteem

[rahul_intlad]

Lets call a spade a spade,the maruti esteem has kind of become an outdated design and prospective customers are shying away towards newer models.Dont think facelifts can create any more interest in the model.

New zen to be launched shortly and heard a new baleno to be introduced soon but what about the good old esteem has maruti neglected this model completely.Why this step-motherly treatment to the Esteem.

Is maruti interested in reviving the esteem .Has anybody here heard anything about a new esteem or is it destined to end up only as cabs in Mumbai fleet taxi services?

[hellspawn]

who says customers are shying away from buying it.it still sells like hot cakes.if you forget safety(do most indians even care about it),interior design,outdated styling it still has a powerful engine,high f.e.,low cost of maintenance,a boot.why would maruti phase it out.maruti doesnt have any other product in its lineup which can replace the esteem.
the zen was phased out because its sales were dwindling because of aggressive marketing of the wagonr and the recent launch of the swift.

in the lower c segment,there are only four contenders-esteem,ford ikon flair,accent gle,indigo.above that are the recently launched aveo,fiesta,nhc,baleno.if maruti phases out the esteem it will lose a lot of revenue from the lower c segment.there are a lot of people(usually retired armed forces officers,old people) who prefer buying the esteem for the peace of mind that it offers.not to forget it makes a decent second or third car.
i wouldnt be surprised that after the launch of the 1.3multijet diesel swift,they would plonk the diesel engine in the esteem too.it would literally take over the taxi market.

[rahul_intlad]

The esteem is no doubt a good car,its engine is fabulous in its segment.

However for a customer it is very difficult to overlook the swift and go for the esteem.
Many people go to the showroom to buy an esteem but end up buying a swift once they are at the dealers place.

PS: Its another thing that the swift and esteem belong to the same stable.

[danlalan]

well i guess maruti knows the truth....GM is hefty to maintain.....Ford is also HIGH to maintain....HYundai is KOREAN(good for 3years) TATA cars also only good for 3YRS....REVA no threat....so might as well take the chill pill and relax..cause nothing can touch their sales in that price bracket of 5k.

[CaliforniaKnight]

Maruti has done lots of upgrades on this car and honestly, thers nothin else left to do on that machine...

[hellspawn]

Originally Posted by rahul_intlad

The esteem is no doubt a good car,its engine is fabulous in its segment.

However for a customer it is very difficult to overlook the swift and go for the esteem.
.

but the swift and the esteem cater to entirely different categories of people.
swift is for the young at heart,flashy people whereas the esteem is for those who are conservative,like an understated sense of styling .
to summarise it,the swift is form over function and vice versa for the esteem.
not to forget,a lot of esteem cars are running as rally cars in the indian rally scene.

[Equus]

Yeah sure, they really need a new C, C+ and/or D segment car. The D segment also needs some shakeup

I remember there was some talk about the sedan version of the Swift which would be marketed as the new Esteem. No clue whats with this one.

[typeOnegative]

Originally Posted by danlalan

well i guess maruti knows the truth....GM is hefty to maintain.....Ford is also HIGH to maintain....HYundai is KOREAN(good for 3years) TATA cars also only good for 3YRS....REVA no threat....so might as well take the chill pill and relax..cause nothing can touch their sales in that price bracket of 5k.

Any back up you can provide for that number? I agree that Korean engines are not that refined. But their cars sure are reliable.

[rahul_intlad]

Perhaps the entry of renault logan may make maruti to do something .

[ravibhat]

I heard and read in news paper Swift sedan is coming in 2007 end which will be replaced by esteem, Its too late launch but you know thats what MUL is known for, since MUL comes with very good priced VFM cars esteem selling figure is quiet good.

Ravi.

[revvedup]

Ya I also agree to the fact that the esteem would be replaced by a sedan on the swift platform.The swift platform was deigned to be a versatile one so that a number of modles can be churned from the same platform.now maruti specialises in this and one could see an esteem replacement soon even before the new baleno comes.

[Psycho]

Originally Posted by rahul_intlad

Lets call a spade a spade,the maruti esteem has kind of become an outdated design and prospective customers are shying away towards newer models.Dont think facelifts can create any more interest in the model.

Hmmm... I might go a bit here but happen to have 3 esteems parked in my driveway each night.

Maruti hit the nail right on the head when they came out with this car as it has all the characteristics one would expect of a normal sedan in India, it also happens to be the most preferred sedan for a first time sedan owner.

The looks might be dated but the only flaw if I saw on in the esteems were the rear suspensions. Love the package and it has only gotten better over the years.

Dream of the day when Zens would have stock 1.3's, esteems stock 1.6's and baleno's the J20's right out of the factory. I really wouldnt mind the looks at all then and I too know for those prices there still are customers who will buy em even with those dated looks.

[rahul_intlad]

Once again reiterate that the esteem is still a good package even now but can be made better by maruti since age seems to be catching up with the esteem.



Regarding the swift sedan[ think it is a photoshop generated image,quite old actually so most must have seen this anyways still posting pic]

[Bullfrog]

Originally Posted by Psycho

I really wouldnt mind the looks at all then and I too know for those prices there still are customers who will buy em even with those dated looks.

Couldn't agree with you better Psycho. Esteem still is a great package (with highest power to weight ration in the entry level sedan segment) for first time sedan buyers. I came very near to buying a new one couple of months back.

From what I have seen so many owners regret after selling their Esteem for a newer car. Anyway India has been a market that always preferred 'function over form' for a long time I guess...

rgds
Bullfrog

[vincentt]

Esteem has been an age old design that has survived till today. I just was talking to my friend about Esteem. Its a wonderful vehicle to drive, quite powered, but has dated design. the picture above looks cool, Maruti if you are seeing this, you got a free design in hand.