Nano counter-attack: Maruti to roll out Ritz by May

Seen as a counter attack to Tata Motors’ recently unveiled Tata Nano, automobile major Maruti Suzuki is aggressively working towards launching new cars and improvising the existing ones.

In a tussle to capture the Indian passenger car market, Maruti is likely to launch Maruti Splash or Ritz in the second week of May. Ritz will mount a 1.2 litre (KB series) petrol or 1.3-litre diesel engine and will be priced at around Rs 4-5.5 lakh. It will be positioned above WagonR but closer to Swift. Swift's petrol version may also be replaced by the 1.2-litre KB engine when Euro IV norms kick-in.

Maruti is also likely to launch its new Alto in early 2010. When contacted Maruti said, “We will launch Ritz in the next fiscal.” Also, Honda Motors is expected to launch Jazz by mid June.