Vans are big hit in the Indian market and are categorized as a mass mover, be it a pooled cab, school cab, ambulance or any other utility purpose. Maruti Suzuki India introduced its Maruti Omni Van for Indian markets in mid 80’s when there were not any major cars available in the market. Padmini’s Fiat, Hindustan Motor’s Ambassadors and not to forget India’s very own Maruti 800 were the only options. The market adopted the Maruti’s product and gave it a special place, which it still maintains by an average sale of 5000 units every month.
Maruti Suzuki India has launched a Limited edition of the Omni with Left Hand Side Rear View Mirror, Floor Mats, New Seat Covers, CD player with Auxiliary Port and 4 speakers as a standard feature. Maruti Omni is currently offered in 5-seater and 8-seater layouts in Indian market. What makes it a great purchase for congested city traffic is its mileage of 14.7kmpl and 10.9km/kg in Petrol and LPG version respectively and a short turning radius of 4.1 metres.
Maruti Suzuki Omni offers a base model of Omni at a price of Rs 2.17 lakhs which gives it a dominant market positioning, as there is a price gap of around 2 lakhs between Omni and the other competitor model “Venture” from Tata Motors.
Omni comes with a 3 cylinder 786cc petrol engine which is placed under the front row seating and powers the rear wheels. This 786cc motor is mated to 4-speed manual transmission and produces a top power of 33bhp at 5000rpm and a peak torque of 57Nm at 2500rpm. Maruti currently offers 6 colour options in the Omni. Omni is a decent car, but lacks in safety and high speed driving, which is one of the areas where MSIL can work and give it a refreshed look which it deserves since a long time and will give a more strategically positioning in the market.
