New Maruti Swift hatchback to rule the small car segment

Maruti is taking nothing less than a back-to-back strategy for the hatchback segment in India. With a clear vision about the age of products, Maruti has decided to introduce a new version of Swift on August 17. Where the new Swift launch will begin branding afresh, it will also help revamp sales. The new Maruti Swift price is expected to start at Rs 6 lakh. Maruti could have contended with the sale of the existing Maruti Swift that is also clicking good sales but in order to fetch in fresh numbers in addition to introducing new features, Maruti has decided a makeover of the Swift. Certainly, the all new Maruti Swift will refresh sales and is hoped to sell in promising numbers.

                             See More New Maruti Swift Pictures                                 Read More on New Maruti Swift

Looking at the till disclosed new Maruti Swift specifications; it is an entirely new car based on larger platform, new interiors and adorns better fuel efficiency. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Swift has created its own aura and gave volume to the hatchback segment in India. New Maruti Swift reviews have also been encouraging. It has in fact triggered competition in the premium hatchback category in India which is the fattest with a sales growth of 20 percent in the Q1 2011. In the same period the industry grew by 9 percent only. These figures are quite promising for car makers to add cars that do not dig a hole in the buyers pocket and yet is high on features. Maruti Swift’s last two year’s tenure in India has not been a cakewalk as there have been several entrants to make the turf tougher. Ford Figo played the greatest spoilsport for Swift by offering its entry level car at Rs 3.69 lakh, Rs 40,000 cheaper than Swift. Following the aggressive price, Ford Figo made it a day and is able to grab 15 percent market share. The next ploy was by Volkswagen Polo that is able to fetch 7 percent market share and is able to sell 3,000 units per month.

                              See More New Maruti Swift Pictures                                 Read More on New Maruti Swift

With a long list in for Swift rivals, the whole hatchback segment has really hot up. Where the segment had only eight cars in 2009, it has more than 14 options today and more viz. Honda Brio and Renault small car are in the offing. Though the increase in number of competitors has decreased Swift’s market share from 32 percent to 24 percent still, Swift rules as the single largest selling premium hatchback car. The downslide in market share is not just the result of introduction of new cars but also the recent strike at Maruti’s facility in Manesar. The gradual inflating waiting period dissuaded car buyers and it forced them to look for other options. But despite all odds, Maruti plans to make all this to be thing of the past with the launch of new Maruti Swift. Initially, Maruti plans to manufacture 16,000 to 17,000 Swift per month after the fourth plant at Manesar becomes functional by September. With such production coupled with the share of Maruti Ritz, Maruti India plans to capture 53 percent of the market share. Maruti’s assumptions in all probability could go right keeping in view the encouraging booking figures. Swift bookings have reached to 38,000 even before its launch which is slated on August 17th.