Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) on Tuesday launched hybrid version of its diesel sedan Ciaz priced between ₹8.23 lakh and ₹10.17 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
With excise duty benefits on the new hybrid car, which is 12.50 per cent, the customers will get subsidies of ₹9,000-23,500 on purchase of the new car (depending on each model).
However, with this latest variant, the company has discontinued production of the existing Ciaz diesel, which was priced between ₹8.32 lakh and ₹10.38 lakh. The company will continue to sell the petrol version priced between ₹7.23 lakh and ₹9.64 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
“The Ciaz Smart hybrid will create national ecosystem for hybrid and electric vehicles in India. It will be the most fuel-efficient car in India with 28.09 kmpl of diesel,” Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, said here at the launch.
The premium sedan since its launch last year has over 60,000 customers in India and overseas, and the hybrid version would further strengthen its leading position, he said.
“By offering support through the faster adoption and manufacturing of hybrid and electric vehicles (FAME) programme, the Government has ensured that hybrid technology, while being clean and customer friendly, also becomes more attractive and accessible,” Ayukawa said.
As per the programme, the Centre started offering upfront discount to the buyers of electric and hybrid vehicles, since April 1.
Such efforts from automobile companies would also lead to creation of ecosystem of hybrid and electric vehicles in future, thereby reducing the carbon dioxide emissions, said Ambuj Sharma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries and Enterprises.