Maruti to launch five new CNG versions by August

In a bid to save its threatened market share in the Indian market, auto giant Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) is all set to launch not one or two but as many as five of its portfolio models in CNG version in the second week of August . The company will launch all of these variants simultaneously in a single day. The cars which will be launched in the CNG versions in the Indian market include some of the most popular Maruti cars in India such as, best-selling Maruti Alto, recently launched new Maruti Wagon R, compact hatch Maruti Zen Estilo, multi-purpose vehicle Eeco and entry level sedan Maruti SX4.

It is to be mentioned here that the market share of this largest car maker of India fell to 47.59 percent in the month of June 2010 from 55 percent registered during the same period last year. While the total passenger car sales in the Indian market were 4,33,641 units in the first quarter of this financial year, Maruti India sold as many as 2,06,377 units of its cars during this period.  By launching CNG versions of 5 of its popular cars in India, the company will certainly enjoy the first movers advantage as very few cars are available in factory fitted CNG versions in the Indian market so far.

According to Mr Shashank Srivastava, Chief General Manager (Marketing) at MSI, the CNG models will be very important in company's portfolio. He added that Maruti is the first company to come out with factory-fitted CNG cars and it will have the first mover's advantage in the market. He added that It is the launch of a technology, not the cars. It is the concept of factory-fitted CNG models.

While briefing to the reporters regarding the launch of new Maruti Alto K-10, Mr Srivastava said that the company is expecting about 25 per cent increase in Alto's sales after the launch of the new variant -- Alto K-10. The Maruti Alto is the best selling car in the Indian market clocking sales of more than 20,000 units per month.

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