Maruti Ritz Buyers Opt Petrol Version

Maruti Suzuki’s latest pin up car, “tall boy” Maruti Suzuki Ritz has been hitting the roads in decent numbers since its launch in May. It has been reported that buyers prefer Maruti Suzuki Ritz petrol variant to the diesel one. In fact, about 70 percent of current Ritz sales are for the 1.2-litre petrol engine version, with the remaining opting for the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel version.

This marks a significant shift in preference among buyers of B-segment small cars in India as these customers have preferred diesel versions for their lower running costs over the ages. One of the reasons for this preference for the Ritz petrol is that it is significantly cheaper than the diesel version. Another reason for the popularity of the Ritz petrol is that it is powered by Suzuki’s new generation KB series engine which offers improved refinement and relatively better fuel economy. This helps it to narrow the gap in terms of efficiency and running costs between the petrol and diesel versions.

The increased popularity of petrol engines among hatchback buyers is an important new trend in the Indian car industry. It is also an indication of the increasing maturity and sophistication of car buyers in India, who are carefully weighing the pros and cons of petrol and diesel versions and not buying diesel merely out of habit.

Maruti Ritz Buyers Opt Petrol Version

Maruti Suzuki’s latest pin up car, “tall boy” Maruti Suzuki Ritz has been hitting the roads in decent numbers since its launch in May. It has been reported that buyers prefer Maruti Suzuki Ritz petrol variant to the diesel one. In fact, about 70 percent of current Ritz sales are for the 1.2-litre petrol engine version, with the remaining opting for the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel version.
This marks a significant shift in preference among buyers of B-segment small cars in India as these customers have preferred diesel versions for their lower running costs over the ages. One of the reasons for this preference for the Ritz petrol is that it is significantly cheaper than the diesel version. Another reason for the popularity of the Ritz petrol is that it is powered by Suzuki’s new generation KB series engine which offers improved refinement and relatively better fuel economy. This helps it to narrow the gap in terms of efficiency and running costs between the petrol and diesel versions.
The increased popularity of petrol engines among hatchback buyers is an important new trend in the Indian car industry. It is also an indication of the increasing maturity and sophistication of car buyers in India, who are carefully weighing the pros and cons of petrol and diesel versions and not buying diesel merely out of habit.

Maruti Suzuki Ritz’s Namesake

Here’s an interesting piece of information about Maruti Suzuki’s latest small car for the Indian car market called the ‘Ritz’. Before 15th May 2009 (its date of launch), the hatchback was eagerly awaited and was extensively referred to as ‘Splash’ by the media. Somewhere in between, Maruti Suzuki was forced to rename and launch the car as ‘Ritz’ even though the same car is known as the Suzuki Splash in the international market.
The reason for this sudden move came after Maruti Suzuki’s sudden realization that the name ‘Splash’ was already registered as a brand by Ford Motors which had already applied for this name in 2002 with the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademarks Registry in India. Ford India is planning to introduce a small car in the country next year which it wants to market as ‘Splash’.
When Maruti Suzuki approached the trademarks authorities for introducing its new hatchback, its petition was withdrawn and the car manufacturer was forced to rename it as ‘Ritz’. And that is how the Maruti Suzuki Ritz came to be known as the Ritz. Looks like car manufacturers are clashing over more than just the sales of their small cars in India.

Hyundai India to roll out diesel-powered i20 on July 7, 2009

Byoyed by the overwhelming response of the petrol-driven Hyundai i20 in the domestic market, Hyundai India is going a step ahead by launching its diesel variant on 7th July, 2009.

Likely to be fitted with a 1.4L common-rail diesel engine, the new variant is likely to be around 15-20 per cent pricier than the petrol-powered super-hatch, but will offer better fuel economy and improved drivability mainly due to the diesel engine’s higher torque output compared to the petrol.

Unconfirmed media reports also suggest that with the introduction of i20 diesel, Hyundai will also launch the 1.4L petrol version, to be available with an automatic transmission. It is to be mentioned that in the international market, Hyundai already sells i20 with 1.4 lire and 1.6 litre diesel engines.

Bringing Hyundai i20 with 1.4 litre diesel engine will qualify the company for the small car excise norms. However, the official company spokesperson refuses to comment on the engine specifications and other details. Once launched it would be pitted against Ford Fusion, the diesel versions of Maruti Swift & Ritz, Skoda Fabia, Fiat Grande Punto et al.



In India, the Hyundai i20 has managed to buck the trend and is still driving up volumes for the company. Even though the company had priced the i20 at Rs. 4.79 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), its bookings have exceeded the company’s expectations, thus propelling the company to ramp up its production. Though it could not be official confirmed, but sources have revealed that Hyundai India has increased its output from 1,000 units/ month to roughly 1,500-2,000 units per month.

Hyundai, which already has a market share of slightly more than 20 per cent in the passenger cars segment in India, is looking at scaling it up its market share to over 25 per cent by 2012. And for that, it is firming up plans to roll out new products in India, in order to strengthen and expand its portfolio of cars here.

Honda to launch Jazz in June at Rs 5.5 lakh onwards

After a decade long operations in India, the largest player in the mid-size cars, Honda Siel Cars (HSCI) is entering the high volume hatchback category with its small car Jazz, a top company executive said. The car will have a new 1.2 litre engine developed exclusively for the Indian market, carrying highest fuel efficiency in its segment.



Jazz also called Fit in certain markets, is the only small car in Honda's global portfolio. To be launched in India in the month of June, Jazz is likely to be the most expensive petrol hatchback in the market with an expected base price of Rs 5.5 lakh. It will be pitted against Skoda's Fabia, Tata Motors' Indigo, Ford Fusion and Hyundai's Accent besides Ritz the upcoming product from Maruti's stable.

Speaking to ET, HSCI managing director & CEO Masahiro Takedagawa said, "Jazz will have all the features found in a premium large car. Our survey shows that 80% hatchback customers feel that these cars lack legroom and headroom space which we have addressed in Jazz."

He added, "We have designed a special engine for India to optimise fuel efficiency and power, which delayed the launch by one year. Jazz also comes strapped with a toughened suspension to meet stiff roads conditions in India."



The car is based on Honda's City platform and will have a high 70% localisation. Jazz is likely to endorse Honda pioneered V-Tec technology for high fuel efficiency, which is already used in the Honda City engine. Jazz will also qualify for the concessional 8% excise duty under government's small car definition.

"We will try to pass the benefit of lower excise duty on Jazz but 30% of its components are imported and the weak rupee may lead to a higher price," Mr Takedagawa said. He however added that he company is not positioning Jazz as a volume generator and its best-selling sedan City will remain the largest car for Honda in India.

Jazz will have customisation option for navigation system, in-car entertainment, sporty tyres and other gizmos at the dealer level. It will be launched with manual transmission and will be studded with an automatic transmission later.

According to sources in the automobile market, Honda could also launch a diesel variant of Jazz in the next few years. The company is targeting smaller cities and towns for the new car and plans to add 10 more dealerships in the next one year to the current tally of 106 across the country.