Maruti Suzuki to unveil new version of SUV (New Vitara) EDIT: Now Launched

[rangaraj]

Economic times report..
PTI[ TUESDAY, MAY 08, 2007 04:00:13 PM]

CHENNAI: Maruti Suzuki will soon unveil the refurbished version of its SUV - the Grand Vitara - in India, a top official of Maruti Udyog Ltd said on Tuesday.
"We have launched five new models in two-and-a-half years. We plan to launch the Grand Vitara in the next few months," MUL Chief General Manager Mayank Pareek told reporters during the launch of the company's new A3 segment car, the SX4 Sedan here.
The SX4 is priced between Rs 6.31 lakh and Rs 7.37 lakh (ex-showroom) in Chennai.
Pareek said the Sedan had 79 per cent localisation and was powered by the M-Series engine.
To a query, he said the company did not have any plans to launch the diesel version of the car.
The SX4 will be launched in the USA later this year, the CGM said. PTI ROH BNruti Suzuki will soon unveil the refurbished version of its SUV - the Grand Vitara - in India, a top official of Maruti Udyog Ltd said on Tuesday.
"We have launched five new models in two-and-a-half years. We plan to launch the Grand Vitara in the next few months," MUL Chief General Manager Mayank Pareek told reporters during the launch of the company's new A3 segment car, the SX4 Sedan here.

Maruti to re-enter SUV mkt in Grand Vitara
SUSHMITA MOHAPATRA

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2007 01:47:24 AM]

BANGALORE: The country’s largest car maker Maruti is expected to re-enter the SUV market, with a new model of Grand Vitara. The company had phased out the earlier Grand Vitara model in December last year, but now plans to get the new model to India.






The new Suzuki Grand Vitara model is expected to touch Indian shores in the next 3-4 months. “We do plan to get the SUV to India very soon. The new model has new features specially suited for the Indian market,” said a Maruti spokesperson. But the company has no plans to manufacture the vehicle from India.

The Grand Vitara will be imported in completely built form from Japan. According to sources, the SUV is expected to cost between Rs 18-20 lakh.

With the Grand Vitara’s re-launch and the likely launch of SX4 in the next month, the company will have presence across nearly all major segments. “We always had a presence in the SUV market and it is an area of focus. The launch of this new fresh look of Grand Vitara, shows our interest in this segment, “the spokesperson said. The new Grand Vitara was launched globally in the last few weeks and is a five-seater SUV.

However, experts feel that Maruti should rather focus on their new SX4 model, than the SUV segment. “It is a good car, but definitely not better than competition and SUVs like Honda CR-V. I do not think that the SUV model is a focus for Maruti,” said Hormazd Sorabjee, an automobile analyst.

The SUV segment in the country is expected to see major action with other players like Mahindra & Mahindra and Nissan. M&M is expected to launch its new SUV, Ingenio, later this year and recently launched the new-look of its entry-level SUV Bolero. Nissan has also announced its plans to launch an SUV for the Indian markets. With these new launches and new looks, consumers are sure to be spoilt for choice.

[lurker]

>>The Grand Vitara will be imported in completely built form from Japan. According to sources, the SUV is expected to cost between Rs 18-20 lakh.

Not really my problem, but they will not sell a single one.

[GTO]

Dayyumm, the competition hasnt stopped gasping from the SX4 effect and here comes another one!

It certainly looks the part, and ages ahead of the previous Vitara which somehow never clicked with Indian customers. They must price it well. I dont know who quoted the 18 - 20 lac price but it doesnt sound right.

[ranc]

These things are too pricey and hence they dont sell, Imagine Nissan Xtrail, Tuscon etc sell only some thing like 150-250 per year, does it make sense to introduce SUV/Cars for these kind of numbers. What would have been better for Maruti is to launch the SX4 mini SUV in sub 8 lakh range and take the competiton to the Mahindra's and Tata's.

[rjstyles69]

GTO dont think its priced at that range. Should be within the 15 lac range price tag.

edit : Suzuki mulls importing Grand Vitara via MUL -India Business-Business-The Times of India

[ghostrider4385]

At that price I'd rather go for the CRV! Hell, I'll prolly spend a lil' less and go for the Safari with all its whistles and bangs instead!

[shuvc]

If I recall correctly, today's ET Kolkata edition hints at a price tag of around 14 L for the new Vitara.

[sgmuser]

Yeah, its not 18l or so that will be a crazy and stupid pricing for a suv like vitara when you can get CRV at the same price almost! Not more than 14l should be the correct price if it comes with a 2l MJTD with atleast 100+hp. Why cant they launch the 5 seater vitara minus V6 instead? which is more compact and economical?

Otw, as someone mentioned, 1.9MJTD in a SX4 Wagon should do enough to kick Safari/Scorpio's azz. As they have almost 60% and above localisation there (sedan SX4 is highly localised, i read somewhere!) , Maruti is being just stupid in loosing this great opportunity! Mr.Jagdish K, I can promise atleast 100 SX4 will surely be bought by us TBHPians on the launch date itself! ;-)

[ranc]

Well said sgmuser, with a ground clearance of 190 mm, huge tyres & a 1.9MJTD its going to sell like hotcakes and it does make business sense for Maruti to leverage on the SX4 platform and with more numbers they can always derive better margins.

[rangaraj]

Well Maruti knows its competition now..

The new endy from Ford - will be bigger and have more bhp at around 17L
The CRV from honda with all the bells and whistles at around 18.5L
The Nissan X-trail is priced more than the CRV
Toyota does not have anything to offer in this bracket (the fortuner not here for some time)
The pajero is overpriced and the montero/outlander is going to be more expensive
The tuscon is around 17L

So going by the SX4's speculation on pricing and knowing what the competition has, maruti did well for itself in positioning the car in terms of fittings as well as pricing.

If it were to do the same for the vitara (having failed to do so earlier), they would either bring out a fully fitted SUV (which is going to be around the CRV size - given that the old one was more the terracan size) atleast 1-1.5L cheaper than the CRV and a lower-end to be cheaper than the tuscon - which translates to a 14L target. If they dont do that, its a waste of time on their part and they have not learnt anything from their past mistakes and their current success!

[deepakhon]

Yes. SX4 hatch with a 4x4 and 1.9 JTD is a better bet any day. I am not too sure that Suzuki will have many takers for the Grand Vitara. I always have liked SX4 hatch more than the sedan.

[Mpower]

I wouldnt pay one cent more for the Vitara than the CRV.

[hondadude]

The times of india article clearly said that it is going to be a five seater and is going to be a Petrol one. If that is true, then Maruti doesn't get it. What the market needs is a diesel SUV that can seat 6/7 people occasionally and costs around 15.

[BUSA]

What MUL need is to price it less then 15Lacs and throw in a nice diesel engine

[sajo]

Yep...its pretty good looking, but not as attention grabbing as the CRV. A related thread is here : http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ming-soon.html