Maruti Suzuki India Pvt. Ltd (MSIL) is all set to introduce the new Swift, one of India's best-selling cars that have always been “wait-listed” since its launch in 2005 due to its high demand. The next generation premium hatchback, to be launched next month, will be based on a new platform, making it much bigger and roomier that the existing Swift besides having innovative design, safety and luxury features.
To be priced a bit higher that the existing Swift, MSIL has asked all its dealers to start advance bookings for the new car and also give option to those who have current bookings to own the new Swift. The new Swift, which is already available in the European market, is aimed at consolidating the MSIL's position in the premium hatchback market that is now in the radar of all major carmakers.
“The new Swift is bigger with more leg room, premium interiors with new dashboard design, best-in-class fit-finish and high-end stereo. It will come with many new features, a new VVT petrol engine and better output for improved performance. The new Swift will be more efficient on fuel consumption, while the hot-selling diesel option will continue to be offered with more variants,” said a senior MSIL official.
“It is a conscious effort not to deviate much from the originality and the strong character the Swift has been known while choosing a design philosophy for the new Swift. On technology front, improved vehicle dynamic performance will be the USP of the all new Swift,” the official added.
Runaway success
Since its launch in India in 2005, the Swift has been a runaway success, which has set a benchmark for all car models in the premium hatchback segment in terms of design and pricing. MSIL has so far sold over 6-lakh Swift, the only car in the segment that has crossed this sales mark. Though there are 11 models on offer in the premium hatchback segment, Swift alone commands almost 25 per cent market share. It is the only car in its segment to sell over 1-lakh units a year for the last three consecutive years.
On an average, Swift sells over 11,000 units a month and has always been in short supply to its demand despite MSIL's efforts to continuously scale up its production volume. In the last financial year, Swift registered a growth of over 21 per cent and sold over 1.4-lakh units, while its sales has been continuously growing since its launch — over 53,000 units in 2005-06, 65,000 units in 2006-07, 89,000 units in 2007-08, 1.10 lakh units in 2008-09 and 1.16 lakh units in 2009-10.
