The Suzuki Cervo, after decades of presence in the International market, is nearly ready for the Indian market. Though the car has always been present in India under different names, the name itself will be seen for the first time. The M800 was a third generation Cervo, and the original Indian Zen was a fourth generation Cervo.

The Maruti Cervo was expected around 2010 at a price tag of Rs. 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh. The Cervo that is going to come to India now may not resemble the international car at all. It is expected to house the same 800cc petrol engine from the current Alto. Though there isn't much information about the diesel option, we expect Maruti to come up with one to combat the upcoming Tata Nano diesel - and Hyundai is mulling a 3-cylinder diesel that will fit in the Eon's engine bay.

Competing with the likes of Nano, Eon, Spark and other upcoming compact cars, the Cervo would have an advantage of the Maruti Suzuki brand value and sales and service network. The latest bestseller Swift has something to worry about.  

• Maruti Suzuki is looking to replace the ageing Alto with a new model. It will probably be called the Cervo and will cost even less than the Alto. Most importantly, there will be a diesel variant. 
• The Delhi police is starting an initiative that will allow owners of vehicles that have been towed away to retrieve the vehicle's location via an SMS. This should help the owners locate their vehicles much faster.
• ARAI, the premier automobile validating institute in India, have shifted their expansion plans to Moshi, Chakan instead of the existing Vetal tekadi, Paud road facility due to concerns raised by green activists.
• The All Pakistan Motor Dealer Association (APMDA) is pushing their ministry of commerce to allow vehicle imports from India to cater to the growing automotive market.
• If you find the Jaguar XJ a little slow, there's good news: Jaguar has delimited the big sedan's limiter, and has ended up with a figure of 280kmph. Of course, there's the new 20-inch wheels, revised bumpers, red brake callipers, sporty seats and different interior trim choices. 
• For the petrolheads among you, there might be no Top Gear at all in 2012. However, there will be a Christmas special, followed by the new season early in 2013. The BBC is apparently making way for the Olympics telecast and changing a few of its traditional shows' timings.
• Department of Motor Vehicles, DMV USA has approved license plates for Google's self driving car in the state of Nevada. This is a great step ahead into the future of automobiles.
• A stunt performed by the Ferrari on the Great wall of China has left black tyre marks on the International historic monument, counted among the seven wonders. Ferrari has since apologised to the Tourism officials who work hard to maintain the piece of history.
• Audi has bagged podium finish at the Spa 6 hours and the FIA World Endurance Championship in an open battle of concepts. The R18 ultra and the R18 e-tron hybrid concept competed along with the traditional R18s to complete the perfect 1-2-3-4 finish. Audi has successfully demontrated the capability and reliability of their diesel hybrid concept.
• Volkswagen has jumped on to the crossover trend in teh automotive industry. The five door Cross-Up!, based on the compact car Up!, would make the crossover market interesting with its pricing strategy. We expect it to hit Indian shores after Ford's Ecosport and Suzuki XA Alfa made their presence felt at the Delhi Auto Expo '12.

The CarWale Daily Fuel is your quick daily dose of automotive news from India and around the world. If you want to know whatever's in the news but want it short and sweet, here's your solution.

The CarWale Daily Fuel is your quick daily dose of automotive news from India and around the world. If you want to know whatever's in the news but want it short and sweet, here's your solution.

Maruti Suzuki’s best seller Alto was dethroned by its bigger sibling, Swift. After taking over from the M800 in around 2006, the Alto sold moiré than any other car in the Indian market month after month, year after year. The Swift, that sold over 19000 odd units as against 17000 odd of the Alto, has gained the crown. Maruti need not read much in this event as these days manufacturers are selling cars 20:80 as of petrol : diesel and the Alto does not have a diesel.

Further, Maruti plans to get the Alto replacement soon to compete with the modern-ish designs of the Eon and Nano.

Another feather in the cap of MSIL is the 8500 bookings garnered by the Ertiga even before its official launch in Indonesia. Pitted against the Toyota Avanza and Nissan Livina, the Ertiga betters them in price as well as some dimensions. Suzuki plans to sell around 15000 units within a year in Indonesia.

With the oncoming of the Super Turbo Diesel SX4 and the subsequently the company's CBU Kizashi, whose deliveries to customers begins in March, we will get to see how the company sustains this growth.