http://www.carwale.com/news/Latest news updates on Indian car industry, expert views and interviews exclusively on CarWale.Copyright 2012 CarWaleCarWale RSS Generator6420http://www.carwale.com/news/6420-maruti-suzuki-india-sales-grow-by-236-percent-this-august.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6420-maruti-suzuki-india-sales-grow-by-236-percent-this-august.htmlCarWale Team9/1/2010 6:33:10 PM3331http://img.carwale.com/ec/6420/img/m/6420_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6420/img/m/6420_lMaruti Suzuki India Limited, sold a total of 104,791 vehicles in August 2010, growing 23.6 per cent in the month. This includes exports of 12,117 units. This is the highest ever monthly sales recorded by the company. The company had sold a total of 84,808 vehicles in August 2009.

]]>Maruti Suzuki India Limited, sold a total of 104,791 vehicles in August 2010, growing 23.6 per cent in the month. This includes exports of 12,117 units. This is the highest ever monthly sales recorded by the company. The company had sold a total of 84,808 vehicles in August 2009.

Maruti Suzuki’s volume in the domestic A2 segment which comprises of the Alto, A-star, WagonR, Ritz, Estilo and Swift grew by 25.7%. The sales in the A3 segment,  which includes the SX4 and the Swift Dzire, grew by 34% during the month as compared to sales in August 2009.

During the month the company launched Alto-K10 with a 1-litre K-series engine and also launched the A-Star automatic. The company also introduced a limited edition version of the Ritz called the Ritz Genus. On the 15th of August the company launched five CNG models across segments. We recently  got news of the CNG models not being available in certain regions. The problem has been sorted out but it would take time to get things in place.

]]>6371http://www.carwale.com/news/6371-maruti-suzuki-produces-5-lakh-k-series-engines-in-less-than-23-months.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6371-maruti-suzuki-produces-5-lakh-k-series-engines-in-less-than-23-months.htmlCarWale Team8/23/2010 12:26:45 PM4463http://img.carwale.com/ec/6371/img/m/6371_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6371/img/m/6371_lMaruti Suzuki India Limited announced the production of a record 5 lakh K-series engines in less than 23 months. The first K-series engine was manufactured in October 2008. The company has an installed capacity of 500,000 K-series engines annually. To meet the growing market demand, Maruti Suzuki recently announced an expansion plan of additional 200,000 K-series engines by 2012. The K-series engines are available on seven Maruti Suzuki models including the new Alto-K10, the Wagon R, Swift, Ritz, Estilo, Swift Dzire and A-star.

]]>Maruti Suzuki India Limited announced the production of a record 5 lakh K-series engines in less than 23 months. The first K-series engine was manufactured in October 2008. The company has an installed capacity of 500,000 K-series engines annually. To meet the growing market demand, Maruti Suzuki recently announced an expansion plan of additional 200,000 K-series engines by 2012. The K-series engines are available on seven Maruti Suzuki models including the new Alto-K10, the Wagon R, Swift, Ritz, Estilo, Swift Dzire and A-star.

On the occasion Managing Director and CEO, Shinzo Nakanishi said, "Introduction of the K-series engine in India is an example of Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to take the engine technology in India to the next level.  In a short span, the company has scaled up the production of K-series engine manifold.  K-series engines are environment friendly and fuel efficient while delivering performance."

Maruti Suzuki produces two types of K-series engines: 998cc and 1.2 litre. The 998cc three-cylinder K-series K10 engine is mounted on Alto-K10, A star, Estilo and new WagonR. These engines offer a power of 68ps @ 6200 rpm and torque of 90nm @ 3500 rpm in Alto-K10 and new Wagon R while 67ps@6200rpm and torque of 90nm@3500 rpm in A Star and Estilo.

The K10 engine delivers high fuel efficiency of upto 20.2 kms/litre. The A star was the first car from Maruti Suzuki to be fitted with the new generation K-series engine.

The second K-series engine is the 1.2-litre, four-cylinder K12 petrol engine. This engine is fitted in cars such as Ritz, Swift and Swift Dzire. Like its K10 sibling, K12 engine also extensively utilizes plastic parts making it light weight. The combination of superior technology and light-weight, K12 engines leads to a fuel efficiency of 17.7 kms/litre for the Ritz and 17.9 kms/ltr for the Swift and Swift Dzire.

The state-of the-art, fully integrated K-series engine manufacturing facility is located in the Gurgaon plant. Maruti Suzuki engineers worked as part of the Suzuki Engine Design team for designing, calibration and testing of the K-series engine in India and Japan.

]]>6311http://www.carwale.com/news/6311-maruti-suzuki-to-launch-a-star-on-the-15th-of-august.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6311-maruti-suzuki-to-launch-a-star-on-the-15th-of-august.htmlCarWale Team8/13/2010 12:36:46 PM2598http://img.carwale.com/ec/6311/img/m/6311_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6311/img/m/6311_lMaruti Suzuki India Limited will celebrate India's 63rd Independence Day Anniversary by launching the A-Star Automatic. The A-Star Automatic variant will most likely sport a four-speed transmission and although the price of the Maruti A-Star automatic is still unannounced, the company will most probably price it as aggressively as they can to give the Hyundai i10 Automatic some stiff competition.

]]>Maruti Suzuki India Limited will celebrate India's 63rd Independence Day Anniversary by launching the A-Star Automatic. The A-Star Automatic variant will most likely sport a four-speed transmission and although the price of the Maruti A-Star automatic is still unannounced, the company will most probably price it as aggressively as they can to give the Hyundai i10 Automatic some stiff competition.

We believe that the car would come only in the ZXi top-end trim level with all the bells and whistles. However, to keep the pricing competitive Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. may just launch it in the VXi trim. Stay tuned to this space as we get you the latest updates.

]]>6283http://www.carwale.com/news/6283-maruti-suzuki-to-launch-a-star-automatic.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6283-maruti-suzuki-to-launch-a-star-automatic.htmlCarWale Team8/10/2010 4:52:27 PM5872http://img.carwale.com/ec/6283/img/m/6283_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6283/img/m/6283_lMaruti Suzuki India Ltd. first made its new KB engine series debut with the Maruti Suzuki A-Star in India. The A-Star as it is known in India, is really what the rest of the world knows as the Suzuki Alto and it has been designed to replace the older Alto in the European markets and go up against the Hyundai i10. The A-Star has only seen moderate success in the Indian market, however Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. are all set to roll out an automatic transmission version of the A-Star.

]]>Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. first made its new KB engine series debut with the Maruti Suzuki A-Star in India. The A-Star as it is known in India, is really what the rest of the world knows as the Suzuki Alto and it has been designed to replace the older Alto in the European markets and go up against the Hyundai i10. The A-Star has only seen moderate success in the Indian market, however Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. are all set to roll out an automatic transmission version of the A-Star.

• Maruti A-Star Automatic in CarWale's Upcoming Cars section.

The A-Star Automatic variant will most likely sport a four-speed transmission and although the price of the Maruti A-Star automatic is still unannounced, the company will most probably price it as aggressively as they can to give the Hyundai i10 Automatic some stiff competition. The i10 Automatic is currently the only automatic transmission equipped car in the small car segment. Although exact pricing of the car is still unknown, expect to pay at least Rs.30,000 more than the manual variant. We believe that the car would come only in the ZXi top-end trim level with all the bells and whistles. However, to keep the pricing competitive Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. may just launch it in the VXi trim.

Maruti Suzuki would certainly want the A-Star Automatic to be priced under the 4.5lakh (ex-showroom) bracket to make a better case for itself in the eyes of an automatic car consumer. The fact also remains that the A-Star with a different front grille and a different set of headlamps is exported to the European markets as the Nissan Pixo where it is available in a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic guise. So let's hope that the A-Star automatic is being launched because Maruti Suzuki see this segment growing rather than as a twist of fate (cancelled orders / stock pile up) that we're able to buy the car at our neighbourhood Maruti Suzuki showroom.

]]>6204http://www.carwale.com/news/6204-maruti-suzuki-to-launch-the-alto-k10.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6204-maruti-suzuki-to-launch-the-alto-k10.htmlCarWale Team8/3/2010 4:12:55 PM48343http://img.carwale.com/ec/6204/img/m/6204_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6204/img/m/6204_lUpdate: New Maruti Alto K10 is launched now.The all new facelifted Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is finally here! The car will be simultaneously launched on the 4th of August 2010 in three metros namely Mumbai, Bengaluru and New Delhi. The car will be unveiled real-time via satellite in the three cities. CarWale got you the exclusive pictures of the car and now on the eve of its launch, we tell you what the car is like inside-out. We have learnt that the car will be available in two trim levels - the Lxi and the Vxi. Both the variants are equipped with electric assist power steering. The biggest change, the engine - is the same powerplant which does duty on the A-Star, new Wagon R and the new Zen Estilo. This 67bhp, 998cc, three cylinder engine is refined and is fuel efficient as well with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. claiming a fuel economy of 20.2 kilometers to the litre.

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Update: New Maruti Alto K10 is launched now.

The all new facelifted Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is finally here! The car will be simultaneously launched on the 4th of August 2010 in three metros namely Mumbai, Bengaluru and New Delhi. The car will be unveiled real-time via satellite in the three cities. CarWale got you the exclusive pictures of the car and now on the eve of its launch, we tell you what the car is like inside-out. We have learnt that the car will be available in two trim levels - the Lxi and the Vxi. Both the variants are equipped with electric assist power steering. The biggest change, the engine - is the same powerplant which does duty on the A-Star, new Wagon R and the new Zen Estilo. This 67bhp, 998cc, three cylinder engine is refined and is fuel efficient as well with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. claiming a fuel economy of 20.2 kilometers to the litre.

The Vxi, which is the top-end trim, will have two power windows in the front and sports body coloured bumpers. It has internally adjustable mirrors on both sides (units are identical to the old Zen and the first Alto's 1.1 from about a decade ago). There's also a new instrument cluster with a digital readout for fuel, trip and the odometer. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. has raided the parts bin and has taken the gear knob from the Swift and the steering looks like a close cousin of the new Wagon R's. The hazard light button also has been moved from above the steering column to the center console. The interior of the car receives new light grey-beige interiors with colour co-ordinated fabric inserts in the door pads. We've also been told that the rear seats are more comfortable and apparently Maruti Suzuki has worked on the rear seat to offer a little more legroom than before.

As far as the exterior of the vehicle is concerned, the front end is very reminiscent of the last facelift of the ever popular Maruti Suzuki Esteem before it was phased out and now looks a lot more grown up than before. The small design touches - such as the small kink in the headlamps and bumper do add a bit of character to this budget hatchback. The car will be available in a new shade namely Copper Sunlight (if you can remember from the early Swift days). Stay tuned to our roadtest page as we get you the performance figures soon when we drive this latest offering from Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. We are told that the old Alto will continue to sell alongside the new Alto K10 engine variants. The older Alto will come with the same 796cc engine and would mostly be available as the LX variant. Watch this space for more news.

]]>4370http://www.carwale.com/news/4370-nissan-to-source-a-star-from-maruti.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/4370-nissan-to-source-a-star-from-maruti.htmlCarWale Team3/12/2010 11:00:07 AM1843http://img.carwale.com/ec/4370/img/m/4370_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/4370/img/m/4370_lMaruti Suzuki India (MSI) informed press yesterday that Japanese carmaker Nissan has ordered for 35,000 units of A-Star to sell in the international market.

]]>Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) informed press yesterday that Japanese carmaker Nissan has ordered for 35,000 units of A-Star to sell in the international market.

Chairman R C Bhargava, Maruti Suzuki India, told reporters that the Japanese carmaker has signed a contract for three years and have agreed to buy 35,000 units annually from the Indian automaker. "It will be 35,000 units which could be revised upward depending on the demand and market situation."

He said that in the current fiscal Nissan had revised its orders upward to 54,000 units, from the earlier 35,000 units.

Nissan sources the A-Star from MSI's Manesar facility and sells it in the European market as 'Pixo'.

Nissan is expected to review the relationship after 2013, time when Volkwagen group would pick up 20% stake in Maruti Suzuki.

]]>4232http://www.carwale.com/news/4232-maruti-recalls-a-star-for-fault-in-fuel-pump.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/4232-maruti-recalls-a-star-for-fault-in-fuel-pump.htmlCarWale Team2/24/2010 1:51:03 PM2405http://img.carwale.com/ec/4232/img/m/4232_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/4232/img/m/4232_lSeems like this is the season of recalls. After the huge fiasco in international markets over Honda and Toyota's recalling of its highest selling cars Accord, Prius and now latest being Corolla; Maruti - the largest Indian car manufacturer has recalled its flagship export brand A-star due to a fault in fuel pump.

]]>Seems like this is the season of recalls. After the huge fiasco in international markets over Honda and Toyota's recalling of its highest selling cars Accord, Prius and now latest being Corolla; Maruti - the largest Indian car manufacturer has recalled its flagship export brand A-star due to a fault in fuel pump.

Maruti is recalling around 1,00,000 cars from the Indian market to recitify the glitch. When contacted, the company said in a statement, "The fault was present in the cars manufactured till August 22, 2009. We realised the fault by November and immediately began contacting the customers."

Describing the fault, the statement said: "When the fuel is filled up to brim, beyond fuel auto cut off position, a possible fuel leakage from fuel pump mounting area may take place."

However, as a proactive step, the company decided to check all vehicles from the lot, around 1 lakh units including those exported overseas.  It said that the company would be changing the fuel pump gasket and O ring at no cost to customer.

Barely a month back, Honda had decided to recall 8532 'City' sedans manufactured in 2007 from India for a part replacement of power window switches that had the potential to catch fire.

With Maruti Suzuki's recall, whether a dent will be cast on the image of Japan as a manufacturer of high end safety cars is to be seen. Surely, all is 'not' well in Japanese camps.

]]>3678http://www.carwale.com/news/3678-maruti-suzuki-ships-out-100000th-a-star-in-less-than-a-year.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/3678-maruti-suzuki-ships-out-100000th-a-star-in-less-than-a-year.htmlCarWale Team12/7/2009 1:58:22 PM2901http://img.carwale.com/ec/3678/img/m/3678_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/3678/img/m/3678_lMaruti Suzuki’s A-Star crossed export mark of 1 lakh units, with the shipment from Mundra Port. The company has achieved 1 lakh units cumulative export of A-star in less than a year since its first shipment to Europe in January this year.

]]>Maruti Suzuki’s A-Star crossed export mark of 1 lakh units, with the shipment from Mundra Port. The company has achieved 1 lakh units cumulative export of A-star in less than a year since its first shipment to Europe in January this year.

Suzuki’s A-star was launched in India in November 2008.  Manufactured at Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar plant, India is the sole base for production of this flagship export model of Suzuki, Japan.  The car is being exported to 69 countries.

Europe has emerged as the major export destination for A-star, where the car is sold as Suzuki Alto. Maruti Suzuki has exported 93,562 units of A-star to Europe alone. Currently, A-star sells in 19 countries in Europe. UK, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France are some of the major markets. With the K-series engine, the A-star has been rated as number one environmental friendly petrol car in Germany. The European version of A-star sports a Euro V compliant engine that emits CO2 as low as 103 gms per kilometre.

Other major markets for A-star, where it is sold as Suzuki Celerio include Chile, Angola, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria and UAE. Like European countries, the car is sold as Suzuki Alto in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand markets.

In the first phase of A-star export plan, Maruti Suzuki has already covered many key markets in Western Europe, Africa, South America and Asia. In the second phase, Maruti Suzuki will target East European markets.

The A-star has led Maruti Suzuki’s export growth this fiscal so far. During April-November this fiscal, the company has exported 91,731 units whereas, during full fiscal last year, Maruti Suzuki’s export was 70,023 units.

]]>2936http://www.carwale.com/news/2936-maruti-suzuki-to-launch-revamped-zen-estilo-coming-this-august.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/2936-maruti-suzuki-to-launch-revamped-zen-estilo-coming-this-august.htmlCarWale Team8/19/2009 4:28:32 PM26284http://img.carwale.com/ec/2936/img/m/2936_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/2936/img/m/2936_lMaruti Suzuki is geared up to launch a new avatar of the Zen Estilo. This is the first major revamp the car has received since its launch in 2006, and our sources tell us it will be unveiled to the public on the 25th of August.

]]>Maruti Suzuki is geared up to launch a new avatar of the Zen Estilo. This is the first major revamp the car has received since its launch in 2006, and our sources tell us it will be unveiled to the public on the 25th of August.

As you can tell from the picture above, the front of the car certainly looks more grown up with the large teardrop shaped headlamps flanking a more mature looking grille. The car sports a new bonnet, fenders, tail lamps and an aggressively styled front bumper – all adding up to a more grown-up look. And it does seem that the nose is now a tad longer.

The car also receives cosmetic changes to the interior, but the most significant improvement by far is what lies under the bonnet of this new car. Plucked straight out of the A-Star, which was the first car to sport Maruti Suzuki’s new KB series range of engines – the Estilo now gets the 3cylinder, 998cc DOHC mill that produces all of 67bhp. We hear that the Estilo will also sport a new gearbox in addition to the new powerful, yet efficient engine, which is Bharat Stage-IV compliant.

They are rumors that Maruti Suzuki may even drop the ‘Zen’ branding, now simply calling the car the ‘Estilo’. Maruti had chosen to keep the Zen branding alive with the Estilo when they launched the car in 2006 to keep maintain continuity from the original ‘Jellybean-design’ Zen which was launched way back in May 1993. Unfortunately the Zen Estilo never really sold in large numbers, owing to its unexciting styling and overall similarity in packaging to its sibling – the Wagon R, since they both share the same platform with the same 1061cc engine and drive-train. One look at the sales figures for 2008-09 and you’ll have a fair idea of why Maruti Suzuki really needed to give a boost to the Zen Estilo. The car clocked only 32,694 units whereas its sibling, the WagonR clocked a rather impressive 134,768 units. So it’s wait & watch time for Maruti Suzuki to see if the new Estilo can grab some of its lost marketshare.

Picture Source: Team-BHP

]]>1903http://www.carwale.com/news/1903-maruti-suzuki-sales-figures-for-february-2009.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/1903-maruti-suzuki-sales-figures-for-february-2009.htmlCarWale Team3/4/2009 12:43:02 PM4291http://img.carwale.com/ec/1903/img/m/1903_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/1903/img/m/1903_lMaruti Suzuki’s sales grew up by 24% in February 2009 as compared to the February 2008. The company sold 79,190 units (including exports) compared to 63,822 units sold last February.

]]>Maruti Suzuki’s sales grew up by 24% in February 2009 as compared to the February 2008. The company sold 79,190 units (including exports) compared to 63,822 units sold last February.



The domestic sales of Maruti grew by 19.1% as 70,625 units were sold this February. Sales of the A1 segment (M800) fell by 29.1% as the company sold 4075 units of the M800; the C segment (Omni, Versa), the A2 segment (Alto, Wagon-R, Zen, Swift, A-star), the MUV segment ( Gypsy, Vitara) and the A3 segment (SX4, Dzire) saw an increase in sales by 14.2%, 5.1%,  90.44% and 310.8% respectively.

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