Maruti to launch new car by end 2012, to replace 800

Twenty seven years back when launched the car became an instant hit in the Indian market. We are talking about the M800 which was once the car known to every household. After three decade-old the country’s largest car maker Maruti will bid its final goodbyes before the end of this calendar year, to make way for its revamped avatar.

With the BS4 emission norms the model had already stopped being sold in the top 13 cities in India from September 2010 as it could not meet the emissions norms made mandatory in these cities from that date.

The new model of the car, to be launched under a new brand but the same platform, will use the same F8D engine used in the base Alto, although updated to match competition. The car will be priced in the range of Rs.2.5-3.5 lakhs.

“A replacement for the 800cc model makes sense as it hasn’t been selling very aggressively at about 2,000 units a month. This will be a totally new small car, though based on an existing platform,” reports said quoting a company official. Reports said that Maruti Suzuki will focus the main purchase parameters in the small car segment i.e. fuel efficiency and low maintenance.

The Nano has not really been a sales success and with the new car Tata will certainly have to re-think or get in the diesel to increase sales. Hyundai has the Eon to take on the Alto while Chevrolet also plans to launch a new model which could be under Rs. 3 lakhs.

Maruti certainly needs more value for money models to keep its market share intact which has seen a decline in the last few years.