Maruti Suzuki Ciaz India live launch

Maruti Suzuki is all set to launch the Ciaz for the Indian market and today and we are bringing you all the updates as they happen. The car was unveiled in concept form at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo. We already know quite a bit about the Indo-Japanese automaker’s new C-segment competitor including the features, specifications and variants. We have also compared the Ciaz against its two major rivals: the Honda City and the Hyundai Verna in a head-to-head comparison.

This is an important car for Maruti Suzuki as it will be their third full-fledged attempt to graduate above their image of A-segment and B-segment hatchbacks and move into the premium categories of vehicles. The launch is expected to begin at 12:00 pm (IST) so stay tuned to CarWale for all the details and more importantly, the prices!

The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz launch is about to begin in a few minutes now.

Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Maruti Suzuki India Limited,  is the first dignitary on stage to speak about Maruti Suzuki’s progress.

Maruti Suzuki has achieved 15 per cent growth in India.

The Ciaz gets over 98 per cent localisation and MSIL will export the sedan from India in the coming future.

Over 10,000 customers have booked the car even before knowing the prices.

The Ciaz is now being shown to the gathering through an AV.

Now the 'Story of the Ciaz' is being shared by Manohar Bhat, VP Marketing and CV Raman, the head of R&D.

Another AV displaying  what makes Ciaz a  truly authentic sedan.

Maruti Suzuki has undertaken a massive media campaign both online and offline to promote its newest offering. In September 2014, the Ciaz debuted in the Indian market with online bookings. It has received a warm welcome.

The Ciaz will soon come on stage  and will be brought out to the voices of the Shillong Chamber Choir.

It's the Final Countdown before the unveiling!

The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz now takes centrestage.

It has been displayed on stage in three colours.

Here it is in the metal -Maruti Suzuki's newest offering for the C-segment, the Ciaz!

Now a few pictures with dignitaries before they make the important announcements about the car.

The prices are out now.

Petrol starts at Rs 6.99 lakh and the diesel starts at Rs 8.04 lakh. (ex-showroom Delhi)

Petrol

V= Rs 6.99 lakh

V+= Rs 7.55 lakh

Z= Rs 8.24 lakh

Z(0)= Rs 8.59 lakh

Diesel

V= Rs 8.04 lakh

V+= Rs 8.63 lakh

Z= Rs 9.45 lakh

Z(O)= Rs 9.80 lakh

V+ AT= Rs 8.65 lakh

Z AT= Rs 9.34 lakh

Maruti India plans to sell around 60,000-80,000 units for the first year (2015), and depending on the market demand they will increase the production.

Maruti is hoping to target Swift and Swift Dzire customers with the Ciaz as they will be the ones looking for an upgrade.