[NetfreakBombay]

As per news in rediff, Maruti is preparing to launch a stripped down version of 800. This version is expected to cost 1 to 1.5 lakh for various variants. That is 75k less then current version.

Maruti unveils Nano rival to banks

Amazing this is, what can Mauti find in 800 that can be stripped?

[TeddyBear]

Maruti unveils Nano rival to banks
Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest carmaker, may after all do what everyone expects it to: take on Ratan Tata's Nano with its own low-price car.
For long, there has been a will-they-won't-they kind of speculation about how Maruti will protect its entry-level consumer base from the Nano, whose lowest variant is likely to cost Rs 1 lakh in some places and about Rs 1.26 lakh in some others. The higher variants may cost Rs 1.5 lakh or more.
According to sources in the consumer finance industry, Maruti plans to counter it with a stripped-down version of the Maruti 800, its best-selling car by far, which has earned the trust of more than 2 million buyers. The stripped-down car will cost Rs 1.2-1.5 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi) making it about Rs 75,000 cheaper than the existing price tag.
A Maruti spokesperson denied any plan to launch a stripped-down version of the Maruti 800, but a senior executive in a bank with a large consumer finance business swore it was in the pipeline. "I am 200 per cent sure. My source is Maruti," he said.
In addition, the chief executive of a leading carmaker confirmed that he had heard about Maruti's new car to take on the Nano.
"Even today the margin on the Maruti 800 is Rs 23,000-35,000. Cutting the price of a stripped-down version will not be a big challenge," he said.
The Maruti 800 was once Maruti's most popular car and even now sells 5,500-6,000 units, which is comparable with Tata Motors's early target for the Nano.
Since the Nano was first showcased this January, the volume of the Maruti 800 has not changed significantly. Market analysts see this as strong customer sentiment in its favour.

Source:- Rediff Maruti unveils Nano rival to banks

[cooldude1988765]

Wow what can they strip from the 800 ? Would be really interesting to see. A lot of people would prefer the 800 over the nano. At least i would.

[sumeethaldankar]

hehehe lets' see where they will be able to cut cost....
think they might do away with ..
1) The Ac
2)Radial tyres
3)Gas Filled shock absorbers
4)Hmmm may be the back seats will be like the Autorikshaw's
and ..... rest you guy's try to fill in........

[aaggoswami]

This was expected move. There has been a long time speculation that Maruti would come up with a stripped down Maruti 800. The place that Maruti 800 occupies right now will be made with a new car ( also a part of market speculation ). As Maruti 800 is already a car that is tried and tested for reliability, they will have a ready made image if they plan to fight Nano.

Nano, is at such a price level that Maruti had to compete. The only point is when they are really able to make it reach the showrooms.

I think that another thread is also existing:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ion-800-a.html

Mods : Can we merge two of them ?

[mjothi]

seems to similar threads. Time to merge.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...val-banks.html

[diabloo]

seems to similar threads. Time to merge.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ion-800-a.html

[diabloo]

Selling at 1.75 lakhs, if the margin on the Maruti 800 is Rs 23,000-35,000 is then how can they sell at 1.5 lakhs?

[NetfreakBombay]

Yes these threads were started nearly at the same time, so search would not have helped. Time to merge. EDIT : Notified mods

[NetfreakBombay]

They mentioned some things can be stripped from current version to bring down costs. Not sure what can be stripped.

[deadman]

may be 500 cc engine.

[aaggoswami]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

They mentioned some things can be stripped from current version to bring down costs. Not sure what can be stripped.

May be some basic seatsat the front, even more basic doors trims, the coil spring rear suspension will make way for leaf springs.

Originally Posted by deadman

may be 500 cc engine.

I am expecting 660cc engine from them. 500cc will be too less to proper the car.

[sukiwa]

What if MSIL remove one engine cylinder & make it 530.67 cc.

[aaggoswami]

Originally Posted by sukiwa

What if MSIL remove one engine cylinder & make it 530.67 cc.

Then the power will go down to around 25bhp. If they do so they will have to put in more valves. Removing off one cylinder from Alt o Engine might be better. But I think that what maruti is trying to do is position Maruti 800 as a better complete car than Nano so they wont mess up with the engine.

[srishiva]

They can also try to remove one bolt, one nut, bench seats, smaller dash etc., (how about asking the customer to install his own door locks ?)