For a car that sells every 2 minutes, the Maruti Suzuki Alto is no amateur when it comes to breaking sales records. It has been the bestselling car in India since the Maruti 800 forfeited that title after its parents declared it was too old for it to continue competing everywhere. Our liking for the Alto even made it the best selling hatchback of the world in 2010. And it has done it again!
The Maruti Suzuki Alto outpaced the likes of VW Gol and Fiat Uno to become the bestselling car of the world for the second time in a row. The Alto sold over 300,000 units followed by VW Gol in Brazil at 293,454 units, Fiat Uno (Brazil) at 273,537 units and VW Golf in Germany at 258,059 units. Another gem from Suzuki’s stable – Wagon R completed the top 5 best selling cars of the world.
However, there is a twist in this story. Although Alto bagged the best selling title, its growth rate is losing steam as time progresses. The fastest growth rate was demonstrated by Fiat Uno in Brazil.
More news on the Maruti YE3 has slipped out with CAR India echoing our reports that it will be launched during the Auto Expo 2012. We previously reported on Maruti YE3 being readied by Indian engineers. It will be a four door, four seat hatchback. The biggest distinction in this product will be its development without the involvement of Suzuki. By June-July 2011, the design of this small car will [ Read More ]
The Maruti Suzuki Alto has been the kingpin among small cars since ages now. It is quite astonishing to see that its sales figures have hardly dropped below 25K/month in the past six months. It is such a popular car in India that it became the best selling hatch in the world. Let’s go a little bit off topic now. When the Tata Motors began selling the Nano in 2009, [ Read More ]
Our very own country’s beloved car has become the best selling hatch in the world. Yes we are talking about Maruti Suzuki Alto. Our Alto has become the largest selling small car in 2010 beating the global competition black and blue. Be it VW Golf from Germany or VW Gol from Brazil, our Alto created history by becoming the first car majorly sold and exclusively manufactured in India to become [ Read More ]
Surprised by the stiffening competition, Maruti Suzuki has charted some exciting plans to retain its dominance in India. Yahoo finance carries a report that Maruti Suzuki will introduce a 2-cylinder engine on the Alto next year, and it is expected to cost up to 25% lesser than the current model.
Codenamed “YP3″, the 2-cylinder Alto will plug the gap between the Tata Nano and the Alto K10.
The Alto K10 was launched in India last month with a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder K-Series engine which finds a place in almost seven out of ten Maruti products sold in India.
The report adds the company has initiated the sourcing process for the tiny engine which helps in lowering costs substantially.
Top component-maker with direct knowledge of the development -
Maruti’s strategy is to explore every price category in the small car segment. The Nano launch forced it to sit up and explore this segment once again.
Maruti has been upgrading its cars to meet Bharat Stage IV emission norms. One of the casualties of this stringent emission norms was the Maruti 800 which the YP3 aims to replace.
Maruti Suzuki is reportedly readying a new variant of the country’s best selling car, Alto. Maruti could soon be plonking in the 1.0 liter K-series engine into the Alto next month. The Alto which has the FC 800 cc engine currently develops only 46 hp and 62 Nm of torque. The 1.0 liter K-Series engine which was first introduced in the A-Star has been one of the best engines found on small cars in India. The new engine produces 66 hp and 90 Nm of torque.
The new engine is very responsive and is extremely smooth and is said to return about 20 kmpl. The 1.0 liter K-Series engine is currently used in the A-Star, Wagon R and the Zen Estilo.
The new engine could add spice to the Alto’s range and the new engine option would draw buyers from the Chevrolet Spark to the 1.0 liter Alto.
Maruti recently gave an update to the Alto by upgrading its engine to BS4 standards and giving new slightly freshened interiors, front seats with integrated head rests and new rear view mirrors.
click through to view BS4 Alto Image Gallery
The new Maruti Suzuki Alto would come with a K-Series engine and reduced asking price
We are aware of the toned down Alto and spruced up Wagon R, but what we would like to see Suzuki unveil this year is the all-new Suzuki Swift which Suzuki has been conducting test runs in Europe.
Reports in the print media state the company is working hard to retain maximum market share by introducing a cheaper variant of the Alto. The reigned down Alto will have much of its features and comfort subtracted. It could be priced in close proximity to some of the Tata Nano variants, adds the report.
The new Alto will come with the K-Series engine. The displacement is not clear.
The new Wagon R is expected to come with either the 1.0-liter or the 1.2-liter engine and a cosmetic alteration.
All the above variants will conform to BS 4 emission norms.
Wishes of common man answered!
My Envisage
The dream that was vision in 2003 from the glass of the back bench of the ultra luxury car, seeing a family of 4 souring in the rain on the scooter has been realised on 18th July 2009 when Chairman of Tata Motors, Ratan Tata hands over the key of the first “Nano car” or “People’s Car” or “The world’s cheapest car” to Ashok Raghunath Vichare in Mumbai.
That indeed is one of the greatest achievements in Indian automobile Industry and auto Industry across the globe. This engineering marvel depicts a part of a “new breed of 21st-century cars” that embodies “a contrarian philosophy of smaller, lighter, and cheaper” and potentially portrays a new era in inexpensive personal transportation.
“Don’t we owe a salute to Mr. Ratan Tata getting the wishes of common man answered”
Behind the Steering
This weekend while driving my Chevy Optra Magnum Diesel 2.0 LT I was wondering, what is the reason behind this car not having the sale number it deserves?
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