Maruti Suzuki A-Star Shines at New Delhi Show
By Michelle Krebs January 10, 2008
NEW DELHI, India -- Flashing lights, an elaborate stage, thumping dance music,
and not one but three show cars on display; Maruti Suzukiâs press conference at the New Delhi Auto Expo
was a none-too-subtle reminder that this Indo-Japanese company controls over 50% of the Indian passenger car market.
Maruti Suzuki was the first company in India to mass produce passenger cars and is known for having revolutionized the Indian auto market. Models like the 800 and recently discontinued Zen brought cheap motoring to millions of first-time car buyers.
With the attractive Concept A-Star set to go into production later this year, this market dominance could well continue.
The A-Star is a true rarity at the New Delhi Auto Expo, a place where many
manufacturers are happy to focus on showing off production models or simple rehashes of older concept cars. The Concept A-Star is a true international debut â a sign that this auto show has achieved global stature. The car will be manufactured in India and sold globally, beginning in October of this year.
Shinzo Nakanishi, managing director Maruti Suzuki India, said that production of the A-Star will be initially for India, before being exported to markets in Europe and Asia. Powered as it is by a tiny 1.0-liter gas-powered engine, the A-Star probably lacks the horsepower punch that American buyers demand. U.S. sales of a Suzuki-badged version of the A-Star are highly unlikely.
Still, the chunky proportions of the little four-door hatchback look great. A silly -- but fun -- stylistic flourish can be found on the A-Star’s taillights, which have an Indian paisley design worked into them.
The cars displayed to the left and right of the A-Star here at the show have been seen before. The Kizashi mid-size sedan appeared at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show, while the concept version of the Splash city car first debuted long ago, at the 2006 Paris auto show. The Splash goes on sale later in 2008.
Photos by Nick Kurczewski
1 - Suzuki Concept A-Star is the New Delhi Auto Expo's first international debut of a car to be sold globally.
2 - India's press corps jams into the press conference by market leader Maruti Suzuki at the New Delhi Auto Expo.
Nick Kurczewski is a Paris-based correspondent for AutoObserver covering the New Delhi Auto Expo.
LEAVE A COMMENT
Click here to comment on this entry.I WANT TO KNOW, HOW MUCH SHOULD MARUTI SUZUKI CAR COST (A STAR )
i like maruti A-star.i want to know more details the maruti suzuki A-star
when is SPLASH being launched in India?
Eye lids provided to A- Star looks good for the time-being but later it looks irritating, burden and finally become ugly.
Better to be replaced now itself!
I have committed my self that I want to have a "A-Star" (This is promise by some one to some one) I want to know the on road cost for this car.
My thanks to everyone who took the time to comment re. my article about the A-Star's launch in New Delhi! I noticed that many people want to know the price of this car, along with when/where it will be sold.
Maruti's execs told me that the car will go on sale in India sometime in fall 2008. The car will be called the A-Star, at least in India. Other names are a possibility when the car goes on sale in other markets.
European sales should begin in earnest at the very end of this year, or early 2009. As for the Concept Splash...it arrives in Europe in spring 2008.
The price of the A-Star has not been disclosed. However, a bit of educated guess-work (and a glance at the price of a base Swift in markets like France and the U.K.) would peg the A-Star's starting price at around 8000-9000euros.
In India, a base Swift starts at around 479,110 INR (or about $12,000). I'd expect the A-Star to undercut this by $3000 or so. Again, this is guess-work for the moment. Prices will be announced later this year, and I would expect some overlap between loaded A-Stars and very basic Swifts.
As for the U.S. market: it's highly unlikely. For the moment, a car like the Swift is probably as small as Suzuki would ever dare go in the States. A shame, since the A-Star looks to be a very handsome and practical little hatchback.
how much is the cost of a-star(all models)?
how much is the cost of a-star(all models)?
the A star one concept car is ming blowing, beauty. wonder.
the main part of price.
So that when will launch in indian road. and Pricing
Thanks&
Regards
Abhay Sharma
This year are you launching any Sedan ranging below Rs. 500000/- (like the model Esteem)?
What are the changes involved in new swift model? Swift also coming in Sedan shape?
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