[aaggoswami]

Came across this news stating that Maruti is planning to assemble Grand Vitara in India from next year.

Source : Maruti mulls assembling SUV Grand Vitara in India by next year

Article :

The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki is mulling to locally assemble its sports utility vehicle Grand Vitara by next year, as it New SUVs to hit Indian roads Electric and hybrid cars
Cars with Class Lexus sports car Check out the world's fastest cars looks to bring an advanced version of the SUV to arrest falling sales.

According to industry sources, the company which currently imports the Grand Vitara from Japan, has already started the initial process for starting assembly of the SUV, including talks with component makers for supply of parts.

"The company is seriously considering to bring in an advanced version of Vitara into India, mainly to arrest the falling sales of the SUV," a source said.

When contacted, a Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) spokesperson said, "We do not comment on our future products."

The source, however, said MSI's plans would be dependent on the market response to the advanced version of the SUV to be introduced in 2010.

Initially the company would sell the new Vitara as a completely-built-unit (CBU).

"After witnessing the demand of the vehicle for the first few months, the company will take a call on assembling it here in order to reduce the cost," the source said.

Currently CBUs attract over 100 per cent import duty, making it highly expensive and uncompetitive. Grand Vitara is available for Rs 16.67-17.97 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) with a 2.4 litre petrol engine in both manual as well as automatic transmission.

[joseph5600]

If they can assemble this here, price it some what in the Innova/Scorpio/Safari range (not sure if possible) and come out with a good diesel engine, for sure it can win lots of customers.

[McLaren Rulez]

About time! A good price cut and the Vitara will be great value.

[harishnair]

If assembled in India suzuki will be able to price it in the 12-14L range and try to lure in some customers from buying the civic,corolla etc

[madan80]

was just reading about the same on cartradeindia @ Maruti Grand Vitara to be Assembled in India | CarTradeIndia.com
if they do assemble it in India, i am sure they will be able to offer it at a price much lower than the 12-14L range. IIRC - the duty is about 120% for CBUs right? (India Today Magazine)
so if they knock off the duty, and bring it in as a CKD/SKD - they pay a much lower duty, hence typically passing on the benefit to the consumer.

[Sudan_NFS]

Originally Posted by madan80

was just reading about the same on cartradeindia @ Maruti Grand Vitara to be Assembled in India | CarTradeIndia.com
if they do assemble it in India, i am sure they will be able to offer it at a price much lower than the 12-14L range. IIRC - the duty is about 120% for CBUs right? (India Today Magazine)
so if they knock off the duty, and bring it in as a CKD/SKD - they pay a much lower duty, hence typically passing on the benefit to the consumer.

But still CKD has some 6% import duties

[Nitronium]

It will make a competitively priced product even more so. We can perhaps look at a price drop of about a lakh?

[Ravveendrra]

A price cut and the petrol SUV becomes that much more attractive and a serious contender in the lifestyle/cross-over/off-road for leisure segments.

Cheers,

[ananth_iy]

I feel they will not have a deal in India unless they introduce a diesel version.

[Guna]

A thread on ACI Discussion Forum does mention that they are going to start assembling with the diesel GV.

[Apple]

I have not yet spotted at least one Grand Vitara till date. If it is assembled in India, then Maruti can price it very competitively and expect to sell in good numbers.

[suman]

Great news if true - would make it very affordable. Even better if we get a Diesel engine!

(Daydreaming - found the replacement for my Safari, come 2011????)

[vijaythacker]

well localising GV is surely a great news but what needs to be seen is that when done, how does maruti pass on this benefit to us.

[shankar.balan]

this is good news
the price will certainly drop considerably - if they would be so kind as to stick a nice powerful 2.2 Diesel plant in it many more people would sure love to buy one!

[Nitronium]

I feel plonking a diesel in the GV will negate the price cut due to localised assembly. It should retail for the current price. Not a bad thing at all!!