Amping up its new products strategy, Maruti Suzuki is planning to launch four new models and facelifts during the next fiscal year. Two of these are expected to be the new Dzire and the new Swift. The new model strategy is part of the previously announced plan to launch 15 new cars including facelifts in the five years leading to 2020.
Speaking at the sidelines of the Geneva Motor Show, Maruti Suzuki officials confirmed that the company will boost its new model strategy during 2017-18 and double the number of launches compared to the previous fiscal. The company has already done eight out of the 15 new launches that had been committed till 2020.
Talking about the company's overall performance during the current fiscal, Maruti officials said that the volumes will be in double digits for the year. Maruti had already clocked a growth of 11 per cent for the eleven months ended February 2017. “Our aim is to outperform ourselves next year”. For the fifth consecutive year Maruti has registered higher volumes in the domestic market compared to the rest of the industry, said the company officials.
The third generation Suzuki Swift, which is expected to be premièred at the 2018 Auto Expo will be a big volumes driver during the last quarter of next year. Maruti has already sold more than 1.5 million units of the Swift since its original launch in 2005. The other model variant that could be launched in 2017-18 is the Vitara Brezza petrol.
Company officials also said that 75-80 per cent of the company's models will become complaint (at least a year ahead) with the upcoming new Indian safety regulations for front offset, side impact and pedestrian safety.