Maruti Heads on with Honda Products

Maruti is trying to tighten its loose ends in SUV and inmarket leader in the car segment, both in terms of
premium sedan segment. This New Delhi's one of thevolume of vehicles sold and revenue earned. It is a
leading automobile manufacturers is also taking headsleading four-wheeler automobile manufacturer in
on with the products of Honda, this after sx4 thatSouth Asia and was the first company in India to
was launched against the city in premium sedan- nowmassively produce and sell more than one million cars.
in SUV.And it is largely credited for having brought in an
Maruti is ready to drive into another Honda defenseautomobile revolution to India.
structure after the sx4. Soon, it will launch its SUVThough the actual production commenced in 1983,
which is the new grand Vitara to take on the HondaMaruti Udyog Limited (MUL) was actually established
CRV. This happens to be Maruti's second experimentin February 1981. It has produced more than 5 Million
with the Vitara. It first launched the Vitara in 2003vehicles through 2004. Marutis are sold in India and
but sold a menial 380, as compared to the Hondavarious other countries, depending upon export
CRV, which has sold more than 7400 units since itsorders. Suzuki in Pakistan and other South Asian
launch in the same year. Even Hyundai Tuscon hascountries sell cars similar to Marutis (but not
sold 1626 units since its launch in 2005. Maruti hopesmanufactured by Maruti Udyog).
that the new 2 litre Vitara, which is priced betweenYearly, the company exports more than 30,000 cars
Rs 14-16 lakh, will bring home the numbers.and has an extremely large domestic market in India
Maruti Udyog MD Jagdish Khattar said that it is smallselling over five hundred thousand cars annually. More
and compact and they are offering it with a pricethan a million units of this car have been sold all over
which will be very attractive.the world so far. Maruti Alto currently tops the sales
The new grand Vitara, known as the Escudo incharts.
Japan, will be available in both the automatic andAs of May 10, 2007, Indian government sold its
manual versions.complete share to other financial institutions, making
The new Honda CRV is a more powerful vehicle butthe government longer a stake holder in Maruti
it also comes with a heavy price tag of almost Rs 18Udyog.
lakh.About Honda
Car enthusiasts along with analysts are interested toHonda is well known for its diverse line up of quality
see if Maruti can win over customers with anautomobiles and car parts under Honda such as
aggressive pricing strategy.Honda CRX parts and Acura name plates, and for its
About Maruti Udyog Limitedmotorcycles, ATVs, power products, marine engines,
New Delhis' Maruti Udyog Limited is one of the leadingand personal watercraft.
automobile manufacturers in India as well as the