Maruti taking heads on with Honda's products

KEEP DRIVING: Maruti to win over customers with an aggressive pricing strategy.

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Keywords: Products, Honda

New Delhi: Maruti is trying to tighten its loose ends in SUV and premium sedan segment and is taking heads on with Honda's products, this after SX4 that was launched against the city in premium sedan- now in SUV.

After the SX4, Maruti is ready to drive into another Honda stronghold. It will soon launch its SUV the new grand Vitara to take on the Honda CRV.

This is Maruti's second experiment with the Vitara. It first launched the Vitara in 2003 but sold a paltry 380.

Compare that to the Honda CRV, which has sold more than 7400 units since its launch in the same year. Even Hyundai Tuscon has sold 1626 units since its launch in 2005 Maruti hopes, the new 2 litre Vitaraa, priced between Rs 14-16 lakh will bring home the numbers.

Maruti Udyog MD Jagdish Khattar says, “Its small and compact, we are offering it a price which will be very attractive.”

The new grand Vitara called the Escudo in Japan will be available in both the automatic and manual versions.

The new Honda CRV is a more powerful vehicle but also comes with hefty price tag of almost Rs 18 lakh.

It will be interesting to see if Maruti can win over customers with an aggressive pricing strategy.