Maruti Suzuki to launch Ciaz and new compact SUV in the next 12 months

India’s leading carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, is set to come up with a strong product launch cycle for the Indian market. Besides the usual updates for its existing range of models, the automaker has revealed that it will launch the new Ciaz mid-size sedan and a new compact SUV in the next one year. 

The Ciaz was first unveiled in India as a concept at the 2014 Auto Expo. Since then, the production-spec model has been spotted on test quite a few times, suggesting that Maruti is hard at work to launch the Ciaz in the highly competitive mid-size sedan segment.  When launched, the Ciaz will replace the SX4 which has been soldiering on in the segment since 2007.

Additionally, the automaker says it will compete in the compact SUV segment. The product in question could be the S-Cross which is based on the European-spec SX4. The S-Cross concept was also on showcase during the Auto Expo. The other product that could fit the bill is the XA Alpha which was first displayed in 2012, again at the Auto Expo.    

According to the report, the upcoming Ciaz and the compact SUV are a part of Maruti’s new strategy to enhance its market share in India. The automaker has already increased its market share in the passenger vehicle segment in the first quarter of the current fiscal to 42 per cent. The launch of these new models is sure to boost the company’s prospects in the premium end of the segment.   

Source: ET