In exciting news for the Indian automobile industry, Maruti Suzuki reveals the plan to launch a Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter rival. The largest carmaker in the country is betting big on SUVs. Currently, it sells the Brezza and Grand Vitara in high numbers. However, going forward, it also wants to offer SUVs at an even more affordable price bracket. That is where the Punch-rivalling SUV (codenamed Y43) will come into the picture. With this entry-level SUV, Maruti Suzuki wants to increase the 20% market share it currently has in the utility vehicle market.
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Maruti Suzuki’s Tata Punch Rival
As per the report by Autocar India, an entry-level SUV from Maruti is slated to launch by 2026-27. At present, it offers products like the S-Presso and Ignis in this price range. These are more of a crossover hatchback than micro SUVs. Going forward, Maruti wants to change that. This comes after this segment witnessed incredible growth on the back of products like Tata Punch, Hyundai Exter and Citroen C3. Maruti’s SUV will sit below its Brezza, making it accessible to an even wider range of audiences. That is a segment from where it could work toward its target of 50% market share overall.
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Talking about this development, Hisashi Takeuchi, MD and CEO of Maruti Suzuki India told Autocar Professional that, “The SUV trend is becoming bigger. At present, the main SUV categories are 4 metres and 4.3 metres, but they will expand further [into sub-segments] – a little bit at the lower end and also at the upper end. There are gaps, we can offer something at the bottom and something at the top, and we will try to fill those gaps.” He adds, “Sticking to our core value, we will offer more customers the joy of mobility. If a customer wants bigger SUVs, we will satisfy their needs. If they want a three-row vehicle, we will supply those cars to the Indian customers holding onto entry cars. I think in the small car segment, some SUVs will come in the future. Our SUV play will become much wider.”
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Author’s Note
This report also suggests that Maruti Suzuki aims to sell around 2,50,000 units of this SUV and a 7-seat SUV based on the Grand Vitara annually going forward. In fact, it wants to capture around 33% SUV market share in the next couple of years from 20% at the moment. With the kind of reputation it commands in India long with its dense service and sales dealerships, people would flock to buy an affordable SUV from the biggest carmaker in the country. Let us keep an eye out for further developments in this regard.
