The Alto 800, the machine which is expected to replace the iconic M800, is likely to get a sub Rs 2 lakh price making it almost Rs 40,000 cheaper than the regular Alto. The new small car from Maruti is based on the Alto platform but with changes to the body, lights, interiors and an updated 800cc engine to meet BS4 and BS5 emission standards. Our sources close to development confirm that a CNG variant of the Alto 800 is also on cards.
A competitive base price will help Maruti Suzuki on two fronts – firstly it will put pressure on the Tata Nano which is not doing too well but is only surviving due to lack of competition; secondly the Alto 800 should justice to its position, as it will replace the Iconic M800, the car that began ‘motoring for all’ in India. The indo-Japanese is likely to cash in on the 28-year legacy that the car has created to successfully market the Alto 800.
Maruti is expected to launch the car during the festival season to push up its volumes and make up for the business that it lost due to the riots at its Manesar plant. The word is that the car might be rolled out in September, but we still believe that the small car major might wait till October to launch the model.
Source : Autocar India
