Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) kick-started the 12th Auto Expo here by unveiling two new concept cars — SX4 S-Cross and Ciaz .
S-Cross is a cross-over that will seek to up Maruti’s ante in the utility vehicle segment by attempting to lure a new segment of buyers. Ciaz is a sedan concept vehicle. The company didn’t disclose the details on the roll-out period for the two offerings.
Mayank Pareek, Chief Operating Officer, Marketing and Sales, said the proposed cross-over S-cross would aim at creating its own segment of buyers in the UV market like Ertiga. “Ciaz is a premium sedan concept, and will strengthen our presence in the sedan segment where we are not very strong”. The company said it would focus aggressively on Bharat as it had brought good volumes at a time when the urban segment reported slump in sales. During the first six months of this fiscal, Maruti’s rural volumes grew 24 per cent.
“Small towns and rural areas have shown aggressive growth in our sales. Our rural expansion will see Maruti reaching 100,000 villages this year. But, we have another half a million to cover. We will step up our rural sales outlets and have more mobile service network for rural customers,” said Kenchi Ayukawa, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India.
