Maruti enters premium Sedan market

India's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki is hoping to make inroads into the premium car market with Kizashi. Will India's small car specialist win over premium car buyers, reports CNBC-TV18's Anshu Sharma with Elan Dutta.   In the year 1983, Maruti Suzuki gave wheels to Aam Aadmi by launching the Maruti 800. The common man's car went onto rule the roads for 20 yrs and made Maruti, India's largest passenger car-maker with value for money cars.

 

If we fast forward to 2011, the wheels turn to a different direction. Maruti Suzuki moved into the premium Sedan market with the launch of its first luxury Sedan.

 

Kizashi, a montage car, is powered by a 2.4 litre petrol engine and promises a fuel efficiency of above 12 kmpl. It will be imported from parent Suzuki's Japan facility. But, why does Maruti make a move into a space currently dominated by Japanese car makers, Honda and Toyota, and competition from German car makers, Volkwagen and Skoda.

 

The car is priced at Rs 17 lakh. Kizashi has some tough competition to overtake in the 2400 cc category. The well established players in the markets are Toyota's Camry priced at 21 lakhs and Honda's Accord priced around 18 lakhs. Moreover, Maruti will have to deal with the perception of being a value for money brand, but the company is confident.

 

So, if you're a loyal Maruti follower and the Kizashi impresses you, then delivery starts from March.