Category: Maruti Suzuki

Microsoft Will Acquire Nokia for €5 billion

Microsoft is set to buy Nokia’s Devices and Services unit, bringing the Lumia lineup under its own ownership. The move unites Windows Phone 8 with its biggest hardware supporter, giving the company the integrated mobile offering that it has been looking for with the Microsoft Surface and other similar devices. When the deal closes in the first quarter of 2014, Microsoft will pay 3.79 billion Euros to Nokia, plus another 1.65 billion Euros for its portfolio of patents.

Microsoft hopes that acquiring the largest Windows Phone manufacturer will speed up growth of the operating system that has yet to see commercial acceptance like similar platforms i.e. Android.

“It’s a bold step into the future – a win-win for employees, shareholders and consumers of both companies. Bringing these great teams together will accelerate Microsoft’s share and profits in phones, and strengthen the overall opportunities for both Microsoft and our partners across our entire family of devices and services.”- Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer.

According to the press release from Nokia, about 32,000 Nokia employees will migrate to Microsoft on the completion of the deal. The release further adds that Nokia is assigning its long-term patent licensing agreement with Qualcomm along with other patents to Microsoft.

Microsoft also announced that it has selected Finland as the home for a new data center that will serve its consumers in Europe. The company also said it would invest more than a quarter-billion dollars in capital and operations of the new data center over the next few years, with the potential for further expansion over time.

September 3, 2013
Maruti WagonR Stingray Coming Soon

Maruti Suzuki will be launching an all new version of its immensely popular WagonR hatchback, called the Stingray. The Stingray will sit above the current base WagonR and will be much sportier looking. With a redesigned front and rear end, the WagonR Stingray will hope to draw back attention to the Maruti brand and help spur sales in what is turning out to be a poor economy for automotive manufacturers.

The front end gets a slimmer grille flanked by sleek headlamps which may house projector-beam units. A flatter bonnet and an all-new bumper with a bigger air dam make for an aggressive look. The rear also adds slimmer tail lamps with clear-lens units and a new rear bumper. Alloy wheels may come as standard, but the side-profile of the tall hatchback is expected to remain largely unchanged.

The WagonR Stingray will also get minor interior upgrades in the form of different colours for the upholstery and other tweaks. Power is expected to come from the same 67bhp three-cylinder 1.0-litre K10 series engine as offered in the current WagonR.

The Maruti Suzuki WagonR Stingray is to be launched in the coming months. Expect the car to carry a premium of around Rs. 30,000 – Rs. 50,000 more than the standard WagonR.

[Image shown is of the Japanese Suzuki WagonR Stingray]

July 24, 2013
Maruti Suzuki launches Alto 800 in VXi trim

Maruti Suzuki India has silently introduced the Alto 800 in the VXi trim for Rs 3.13 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), or with optional metallic paint for Rs 3.17 lakh. This makes it Rs 13,581 more expensive than the Alto 800 LXi in Delhi, which is not a major difference considering the additional kit which comes with the VXi. The Alto 800 VXi costs Rs. 3.36 lakh in Mumbai.

This additional equipment comprises of central locking, a USB compatible stereo that is hooked to four speakers, left outside rear view mirror and a driver’s side airbag as standard. Cosmetic enhancements include door side mouldings and a rear spoiler. Other equipment aboard the Alto 800 VXi includes, air conditioning with heater, power steering, front power windows, dual tone upholstery, dual trip meter, clock, remote fuel lid and hatch opener, tubeless tyres body coloured bumpers and door handles, etc.

The Alto 800 derives its power from a three cylinder 796cc petrol unit churning out 48 bhp and 67Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 is also available with a CNG kit option. As compared to the last generation Alto, the new Alto 800 is a little more spacious, in fact the fuel efficiency of the new version too has been improved by 15 per cent.

June 18, 2013
Maruti Suzuki India launches CNG Ertiga called the Ertiga Green

Rumours of Maruti’s plans of launching a CNG variant of the Ertiga have been doing the rounds for a few weeks, and now we can confirm that Maruti has launched India’s first CNG-equipped MPV. The Ertiga Green is available only in the LXi and VXi trims.

Maruti claims that the Ertiga Green has a mileage of 22.80km/kg. Bookings for the car are on for a price of Rs 10,000, with deliveries in 15 to 20 days. The Ertiga Green’s exteriors and interiors remain unchanged.

We continuously work to offer products that are high on fuel efficiency and low on overall cost of ownership. Ertiga Green, with a factory-fitted CNG system, is another step of Maruti Suzuki to meet today’s need of our customers

– Manohar Bhat, Vice-President, Marketing, Maruti Suzuki India

The LXi variant comes with a price tag of Rs 6.52 lakh, while the VXi variant costs Rs 7.30 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Ertiga has been a success with over 87,000 units sold since its launch in April, 2012.

Ertiga Green is the sixth vehicle from Maruti Suzuki India with factory-fitted CNG kits. Alto, Wagon R, Eeco, SX4 and Estilo are already offered with factory-fitted CNG option. The new vehicle will be available in states with CNG infrastructure, including Delhi NCR, Gujarat, Mumbai, Pune, and parts of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the company said.

June 16, 2013
Maruti Suzuki announces month-long exchange program

With the car market continuing on a downhill drive, India’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India has announced an exchange programme for its existing customers which will be valid for the whole of June 2013.

The company is targeting to reach out to over 5 lakh customers across the country with special discounts and offers through the network of its pre-owned car business called ‘True Value’. A mega carnival will be held across 112 cities on June 15th and 16th as a part of the initiative. The carnival will go beyond the metro cities covering tier 1 and tier 2 locations like Ranchi, Patna, Indore, Bhubneshwar, Raipur, Karnal, Hubli, Sagar, Mandi, Vapi, Vardha, Jamnagar etc. to name a few.

The month long Mega Carnival is an initiative for driving exchange and facilitating the new car sales. It will be led by our True Value chain which will act as catalyst to spur growth in of this segment. Maruti Suzuki is the market leader in this format of business. This initiative will provide a boost to an overall sluggish market and also create a positive sentiment for the entire automobile industry.

– Mayank Pareek, chief operating officer, Maruti Suzuki India

On offer will be a number of spot booking benefits, including attractive EMI schemes with bank partners, exchange bonus and loyalty bonus for the full range of Maruti Suzuki cars, during the month-long exchange campaign at all dealerships across India.

Car sales in India fell for a record seventh consecutive month in May with a decline of 12.26 per cent at 1,43,216 units, prompting industry body SIAM to caution that the prolonged slump in the market could result in job losses in the automobile sector. Maruti Suzuki India registered 8.25 per cent decline in domestic sales at 66,342 units in May.

[Times of India]

June 13, 2013
Autogyaan: Maruti Suzuki Launches Limited Edition Swift

One of India’s top hatchbacks, the Maruti Suzuki Swift has crossed yet another landmark. The model has reached sales of 30 lakh units globally, and to celebrate this achievement, Maruti Suzuki has launched a limited edition trim called the ‘Swift Star’.

Largely featuring cosmetic changes, the Swift Star will offer a Double DIN audio unit with bluetooth connectivity, a rear roof spoiler, steering wheel cover, art leather seat covers and designer floor mats. The regular Swift is available with a 1.3-litre diesel engine producing 74 bhp and 190Nm of torque as well as 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 85bhp and 114Nm of torque. The diesel variants start at Rs. 5.6 Lakh and go upto Rs. 6.9 Lakh, and the petrol variants start at Rs. 4.5 Lakh and go upto Rs. 5.8 Lakh (all ex-showroom Delhi). The special edition ‘Swift Star’ will be available with both engines and will cost Rs. 23,000 over the regular variants.

The Swift has been on sale in the global market for 8 odd years, and Maruti Suzuki reports that a massive 45% of the 30 lakh units were sold in India. These sales figures epitomise the huge popularity the Swift enjoys in the Indian market. Recently there was news that Maruti Suzuki was offering the Swift at a discount of Rs. 5000 for the first time ever in its lifetime. It also announced that there was no waiting period on the diesel Swift at all. Market slowdown has affected bigger players like Maruti Suzuki as well, and the Swift Star may be a smart move by the Indo-Jap carmaker to keep its inventories moving.

March 24, 2013
Maruti Reveals Face-lifted Wagon R

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is one of the highest selling cars in the history of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. The Wagon R, which got a comprehensive model update a couple of years back, has now got a mild facelift to remain fresh in the market.

It may be noted that MSIL realizes the need to regularly spruce up its small cars to fend off the ever increasing competition.

The changes are minimal; however the company claims to improve engine’s efficiency. The makers boast an OBD II complaint engine including other changes that make the vehicle eight percent more efficient than its 2010 edition.

The updated version is powered by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder K Series petrol motor while power and torque remain unchanged. The car once again will be offered in CNG and Petrol variants. Also the front bumper, headlights and grill are re-designed.

Talking of the interior, beige and black combination gives it a fresh, up class feel along with increased storage space just above the glove box. The best part is improved audio unit which enables USB connectivity. The day/night inside rear view mirror is a cherry on top.

The prices for Maruti Suzuki’s face lifted Wagon R may be announced next week and an increase of 0.5 percent to 2 percent is expected.

January 13, 2013
Maruti Alto 800 Crosses 6000 Pre-Launch Bookings

Maruti Suzuki has bagged 6000 pre-launch booking orders for the eagerly awaited Maruti Alto 800. Bookings for the small car have opened on October 1 after Maruti launched a web page (www.marutisuzukialto800.com/). On the site, those interested can complete all the details and pre-book the car, with deliveries expected to start during the Diwali holidays.

Looking at the response, the company believes that 10,000 bookings before the car’s official launch is very much possible.

The new Maruti Alto 800 is more fuel efficient than the outgoing variant and has been developed at an investment of Rs 470 crores and is based on the same platform seen on the earlier Alto which was launched 12 years ago. The current model will offer fuel efficiency of 22.74 kmpl which is enhanced by 15% as compared to the previous model while it will sport improved gear shift and additional space in rear passenger cabin. Once launched, MSIL hopes to have a production schedule of 800 cars per day.

October 14, 2012
New Maruti Alto 800 Averages 23 kmpl : Scheduled For 16th October Launch

Maruti Suzuki India Limited has announced official market release of their upcoming Alto 800. The company has already started accepting orders for the new model on initial booking amount of Rs.5,000. Alto 800 possesses a 796cc engine with fuel efficiency of 22.74 kmpl which is 15% higher than their previous model. It is this factor that will make it one of the most economic cars in the country.

The new Maruti Alto 800 small car should come with an expected price tag that stays at the Rs 4 lakh mark. Alto 800 replaces MSIL best seller Alto as the company seeks to overcome tough market conditions such as higher petrol costs and increased interest rates all of which have adversely affected sales of small cars in the country.

Alto 800 will be offered in a choice of six variants – 3 petrol and 3 CNG. Petrol variants are expected to offer mileage approximately at 23 kmpl while the CNG version will give mileage of around 31 kmpl. Interiors are fashionable and offer enhanced head and leg room making the Alto 800 ideal even for taller passengers. While the Alto K10 will continue being availabe as is, Maruti Alto 800 exports to Latin America and other markets will begin soon. Alto 800 once launched is likely to compete with Tata Nano and Hyundai Eon. MSIL Alto sales have been declining since the past few months. In the period April to August 2012, the company sold 89,000 units while in the same period in the previous year this figure stood at 1.22 lakhs

[Rushlane]

October 10, 2012
AutoGyaan : Maruti Suzuki Unveils the XA Alpha concept at AutoExpo 2012 (PR)

AutoGyaan is covering their favorites at the AutoExpo 2012 and Maruti Suzuki have unveiled the new XA^?concept at the expo. A trendy crossover aimed at the youth of today, according to the company the ‘Alpha’ represents trendiness and newness that the youth connect to. The ‘A’ signifies that this compact, 4 metre long concept, is designed for customers wishing to enter the utility vehicle segment. The ‘X’ denotes Cross-over category.

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Concept XA Alpha unveiled

XA^?(XA Alpha) a concept for a compact SUV, was unveiled at the Maruti Suzuki pavilion at Auto Expo 2012 here today.

XA^? combines ruggedness and ‘muscle’ – the traditional attributes of a Sports Utility Vehicle – with elegance, a certain finesse and compactness. (Designers’ detailed note below)

In XA?, the ‘Alpha’ represents trendiness and newness that the youth connect to. The ‘A’ signifies that this compact, 4 metre long concept, is designed for customers wishing to enter the utility vehicle segment. The ‘X’ denotes Cross-over category.

Presented in glistening Lava Red, the XA^? is the show stopper, occupying centre stage at the market leader’s Auto Expo pavilion this year.

Together with Ertiga, to be unveiled on January 6, the XA^? signals Maruti Suzuki’s plans to expand into the utility vehicles space.

While continuing to strengthen its compact car portfolio, the Company will create new categories in the utility vehicle segment as an option for existing Maruti Suzuki customers as well as for new ones.

The Company will back this foray with the best in technology. While expanding its popular range of K-series petrol engines, the Company will build on the success of its diesel offerings.

With India on course to becoming one of the leading automobile economies in the world, Maruti Suzuki has lined up a busy product plan to drive the growth and meet diverse customer needs in a fast maturing market.

Since the last Auto Expo in 2010, Maruti Suzuki has launched a range of new vehicles. By launching a new WagonR, a new Swift and a new Alto K-10 the Company has been able to maintain its clear leadership, despite several new competitor models in the compact car space.

Unveiling the Concept XA^?, Managing Director and CEO of Maruti Suzuki, Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi said: “India is set to become one of the top automobile markets of the world. This may become evident as early as the next Delhi Auto Expo. Maruti Suzuki will lead India’s automobile growth and evolution by strengthening its compact car portfolio, entering new segments and creating new product categories across fuel options”.

He added: “The Concept XA^? is designed for a market of customers with a young urban lifestyle. This Concept showcases the unified R&D efforts of Suzuki and Maruti which will be a big asset for us in India in the future”.

Bestsellers from Suzuki Japan
On display at the show are Suzuki’s bestsellers MR Wagon, Palette, Solio and SX4 hatchback for public view and seeking comments and opinions on the aspects of design, features and pricing. These vehicles demonstrate Suzuki’s unique strength to pack values of superior technology and high-end features into compact cars. They also highlight Suzuki’s capabilities to offer optimum space in compact dimensions’. Based on consumers’ feedback and insights on design, technology and pricing, the Company will decide on any possibility of their introduction in India.

Way of Life
Way of Life, the theme of the pavilion symbolizes the company’s philosophy of constantly trying to find what the customers want and creating products and services to delight and enrich the customers’ lives. The four critical pillars of Way of Life namely Value, Spirited, Sporty and Straight Forwardness will be showcased though the four neat zones of the pavilion.

Other display cars
The Maruti Suzuki range of regular production models is displayed in interesting interpretations and accessorized forms like Swift Concept – Night Rider; A-star – Cabriolet two-seater convertible; Estilo – Dreamliner; Wagon R – Urbane and Omni – Cuppa Joy.

The wide array of display vehicles demonstrates how Brand Maruti Suzuki integrates into the life of every Indian. The existing vehicle range has taken on new dynamic avatars to exhibit the versatility of usage of the Maruti Suzuki range.

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January 6, 2012