The one tonne LCV is to be launched next year.
India's largest passenger car maker Maruti would have ventured into the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) market come 2015.
Though the company has an unshakable presence in the passenger car business, it is new to the LCV segment and hence would play it safe by rolling out the Maruti Y9T LCV on a very limited scale in order to understand the market and sales experience, says Mr. R C Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL).
The Y9T LCV which is currently on road trials is powered by the company's first homegrown diesel engine. The 800 cc two-cylinder motor will also power the Celerio which was spied earlier.
Also read: Undisguised Maruti Y9T caught on tape
In order to market the LCV, Maruti is in the process of setting up a dedicated sales and distribution network. Mr. Bhargava says that the customers for the LCV and passenger cars are different and hence the facilities have to be different as well.
Competitors: Tata Ace, Mahindra Maxximo, Ashok Leyland Dost
Expected Price: INR 3.5-4.5 lakhs, ex-showroom
Launch Date: Early 2015
[Source: ET Auto]