Suzuki Swift: Maruti has big plans

Maruti Udyog Ltd, which enjoys a leadership position in the country's car market, aims to push-start the A2 premium segment with the launch of Swift, a hatchback that is expected to hit the Indian market by the end of May this year.

This will be the first car from the Maruti-Suzuki stable that has been designed and created jointly by a team of engineers from Suzuki and Maruti Udyog Ltd.

A company spokesperson, stating that the car is scheduled to be launched in India by May-end, said, "With the launch of Swift, Maruti-Suzuki will attempt to provide an impetus to the premium A2 segment, even as potential A2 segment buyers are likely to move to Swift."

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"The sales figures in the premium A2 segment are not too impressive. Maruti sees Swift as future growth driver in this segment, which is still stabilizing," he added.

Some of the vehicles in the premium A2 segment include Fiat's Palio, Opel's Sail, Hyundai's Getz and Ford's Fusion. Swift will be the next entrant into this segment. A2 premium is positioned above the A2 segment, which comprises of cars such as Tata's Indica, Hyundai's Santro, Maruti Zen, Martui's Alto and Wagon R, and Fiat's Uno.

Talking about the manufacturing units, the spokesman said, "The company plans to manufacture Swift in four locations -- Japan, Hungary, India and China.

The world launch of the car is being spread over the next few months, with the vehicle already having been launched in Hungary and Japan. He, however, contended that Swift may dent the sales of Maruti's A2 segment cars like Alto and Wagon R.

According to industry figures, 2004-05 sales figures for Palio stood 3,972 cars, for Getz it was over 1,500 cars, Sail figures were 2,234 and Fusion sold around 400 cars.

The spokesman, on an optimistic note, said, "These numbers are not too impressive and we expect Swift to kickstart this segment."