Aim to manufacture, sell 1 mn 'green vehicles' over next few years: Maruti

The next million green vehicles from company will include a range of technologies and power trains such as CNGs, smart hybrids, strong hybrids and electric vehicles.

The country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) on Wednesday said it aims to manufacture and sell another million "green vehicles" in the next couple of years as it accelerates its eco-friendly mobility drive.

Kicking off the Auto Expo here, MSI Managing Director and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa said the company has already sold a million green cars, comprising CNG and smart hybrids in the last decade.

Showcasing its concept Futuro-e, an electric SUV, he said the car is being shown for the first time globally here, reflecting the importance of Indian customers in Suzuki's business.

"Our theme at the Auto Expo 2020 - Mission Green Million - explains our commitment towards bringing affordable and sustainable green technologies for India. We aim to manufacture and sell the next million green vehicles at a much faster pace, over the next couple of years, " Ayukawa told reporters here.

The next million green vehicles from company will include a range of technologies and power trains such as CNGs, smart hybrids, strong hybrids and electric vehicles, he added.

"We are banking on customers to accept and upgrade to new technology including the electrified powertrain," he said adding mass acceptance will give original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) desired volumes to bring in localisation benefits to customers.

On the concept Futuro-e, he said, the electric SUV-coupe which is defined by its bold and sporty characteristics has been conceptualised and designed in India by the company.

"The Concept Futuro-e has the potential to redefine next generation SUV design language in India," Ayukawa added.

Reiterating the company's commitment to CNG technology, he said, "In the coming times we are committed to expand our CNG portfolio to include many more models."

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Jan PV sales slide for 3rd straight month as manufacturers reduce inventory

Domestic car sales were also down for the third consecutive month, declining 2.65 per cent to 179,389 units.

Article Source BS : Domestic passenger vehicle (PV) sales declined for the third month in a row in January, dropping 1.87 per cent, as manufacturers continued to reduce inventory at dealers following a tepid festive season sales, according to SIAM.

As per data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Friday, PV sales in January stood at 2,80,125 units last month as against 2,85,467 units in the same month last year.

Domestic car sales were also down for the third consecutive month, declining 2.65 per cent to 179,389 units as compared to 1,84,264 units in January 2018.

"Stock correction by manufacturers continued in January to cut inventory that were piled up during the festive period, which saw sluggish sales," SIAM Deputy Director General Sugato Sen told PTI.

He, however, said retail sale was better than wholesale in January, and the industry expects demand to grow in the remaining two months of the fiscal.

During the month, market leader Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) posted a marginal growth of 0.18 per cent in its PV sales at 1,39,440 units. Rival Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) also posted 0.65 growth at 45,803 units.

Similarly, homegrown utility vehicles major Mahindra & Mahindra also saw 0.88 per cent rise in its PV sales at 23,864 units last month.

In passenger cars segment, MSI's sales stood at 1,01,865 units, down 4.12 per cent. HMIL's car sales was also down 1.58 per cent at 35,439 units last month. Honda Cars India, however, saw its car sales grow 51.67 per cent to 14,383 units.

In the two-wheeler segment, SIAM said total sales in January were down 5.18 per cent to 15,97,572 units compared to 16,84,761 units in the year-ago month.

Motorcycle sales last month declined 2.55 per cent to 10,27,810 units as against 10,54,757 units in the same month a year ago.

Market leader Hero MotoCorp's bike sales last month was down 4.95 per cent at 5,16,451 units. Rival Bajaj Auto, however, posted growth of 24.67 per cent at 2,03,358 units last month. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India's bike sales stood at 1,28,525 units, down 24.19 per cent.

Total scooter sales last month declined by 10.21 per cent at 4,97,169 units as against 5,53,695 units in January last year, SIAM said.

Market leader HMSI's scooter sales were at 2,72,170 units, down 14.77 per cent. Chennai-based TVS Motor Co also saw its scooter sales dip by 0.41 per cent at 83,794 units.

Suzuki Motorycle India, however, witnessed a 60.28 per cent jump in it scooter sales at 61,348 units last month.

SIAM said sales of commercial vehicles were up 2.21 per cent to 87,591 units in January.

Looking to buy a budget car? Maruti Suzuki launches new version of WagonR

The new WagonR with one-litre engine will deliver a fuel efficiency of 22.5 km per litre while the bigger 1.2 litre petrol powertain would return efficiency of 21.5 km per litre.

The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Wednesday launched a new version of its hatchback WagonR priced between Rs 4.19 lakh and Rs 5.69 lakh (ex-showroom).

The new WagonR comes with a new 1.2-litre petrol engine option along with another choice of 1-litre powertrain. It also comes with an automatic gear shift variant.

The one-litre manual versions are priced at Rs 4.19 lakh and Rs 4.69 lakh while the automated gear shift trim is tagged at Rs 5.16 lakh.

The 1.2-litre variants are priced between Rs 4.89 lakh and Rs 5.69 lakh (all prices ex-showroom).

"I am sure, the all-new WagonR will become a preferred choice just not for families but also for young and dynamic buyers," MSI MD and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa told reporters here.

The vehicle has been developed on the Suzuki's fifth-generation HEARTECT platform and is wider and longer than its outgoing version.

As a result, the boot space has also gone up in the new model to 341 litres.

The company said the use of high tensile steel has improved the overall safety, rigidity and NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) performance in the new offering.

The third generation WagonR comes with various safety features like driver airbag, ABS (anti-lock braking system) with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution) and front seat belts reminder, speed alert system and rear parking sensors.

The company has already received 12,000 bookings for the model.

MSI has sold around 2.2 million units of the model till date in the country.

According to the company, the new WagonR with one-litre engine will deliver a fuel efficiency of 22.5 km per litre while the bigger 1.2 litre petrol powertain would return efficiency of 21.5 km per litre.

Article Source BS

Maruti Suzuki launches Ertiga 2018 today, price starts at Rs 744,000

The model would compete with the likes of Honda CR-V, Mahindra Marazzo, among others in the multi-purpose vehicle space.

The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Wednesday launched a new version of its multi-purpose vehicle Ertiga priced between Rs 744,000 and Rs 109,000 (ex-showroom price Delhi).

The petrol variants, including two automatic trims, are priced between Rs 744,000 and Rs 995,000, while diesel variants are tagged between Rs 884,000 and Rs 109,000.

The petrol variants of the new Ertiga are costlier by up to Rs 71,000 from the outgoing model. Similarly, the diesel versions are costlier by up to Rs 20,000.

The model would compete with the likes of Honda CR-V, Mahindra Marazzo, among others in the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) space.

"The next-gen Ertiga has been designed with thoughtful features and great attention to detail, keeping in mind the requirements of our ever-evolving customers," MSI MD and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa told reporters here.

The company is offering the latest K15 petrol engine option with progressive smart hybrid and lithium-ion battery in the new Ertiga, he added.

"I am confident that our customers will appreciate best in fuel class efficiency, which has increased by nearly 10 per cent for the petrol variant," Ayukawa said.

He added that as a leading automobile manufacturer of the country, MSI will continue to pursue Make in India.

"We are further investing in our research and development centre to introduce latest technologies and higher level of localisation," he noted.

Ayukawa added that through new technology like CNG, hybrid and electric vehicles the company aims to bring down emissions and give environment-friendly vehicle options to its customers.

The next-gen Ertiga is conceptualised on fifth generation HEARTECT platform to ensure enhanced safety and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance by making it stronger and more rigid.

While the new Ertiga features a new 1.5-litre petrol engine with smart hybrid technology, the diesel options come with the familiar 1.3-litre engine.

MSI said the petrol versions of the model with manual transmission comes with a fuel efficiency of 19.34 km/l while the automatic trims will give a fuel efficiency of 18.69 km/l. The diesel options would offer a fuel efficiency of 25.47 km/l.

Designed especially for India, Ertiga was first launched in India in April 2012 and the company has sold over 420,000 units cumulatively since its launch.

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