The Hindu : Business : Maruti offers A-Star at Rs. 3.46-4.11 lakh

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Maruti offers A-Star at Rs. 3.46-4.11 lakh

Special Correspondent

Three variants with K10B petrol engine
The hatchback will be produced at Manesar

NEW DELHI: Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) on Wednesday launched its much-awaited compact car, A-Star, with an introductory price tags ranging from Rs. 3.46 lakh to Rs. 4.11 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The fifth world strategic model of its parent company, Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corporation, the new car comes in three variants and has been powered by new state-of-the-art and fuel-efficient K10B petrol engine, giving 67 bhp of power and mileage of 19.59 km a litre.

Unveiling the car here, MSI Chairman R. C. Bhargava said A-star, built on a brand new platform, was an excellent city car with best-in-class turning radius, power, flat torque (minimum gearshifts), performance and best emission norms.

“It is truly a green car with no compromise. The newest model meets the European ‘end of life vehicles (ELV) norms, which implies that 85 per cent of the car is recyclable. In addition, it is free from hazardous materials like lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium,” he informed.

Mr. Bhargava said the new hatchback would be manufactured only in India at the Manesar production facility in Haryana and exported to around 150 countries from early next year. On the slowdown in the auto industry, Mr. Bhargava said that so far Maruti Suzuki had registered growth in its sales this fiscal, but the next five months were crucial for the industry.

Referring to Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram’s advice to reduce prices to boost demand, he said: “Each auto company will have to decide examining the future and commodity prices. We are taking measures for price cut, but will take a decision on shareholders’ interests.”

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