Maruti's premium offerings (A-Cross, Ciaz) to be badged 'Suzuki' - Report

07/05/2015 - 15:12 Maruti Ciaz, Maruti SX4 S-Cross, Maruti A-Cross, Maruti Suzuki Anjan Ravi

Premium dealerships coming up in a year's time.

TeamBHP states in a report that the country's largest car maker, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, will drop the 'Maruti' name from the bootlids of its premium products. The Ciaz, and forthcoming products like the SX4 S-Cross (A-Cross) and the YBA compact SUV will only see the Suzuki part of the badge.

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross rear at the 2014 Paris Motor Show — Products like the S-Cross see Maruti entering an all-new segment with prices ranging up to INR 12 lakhs.

This is an effort to shed the budget car status associated with the Maruti nameplate, as the majority of sales come from entry-level segments composed of the Maruti Alto 800, Alto K10, Wagon R etc.

Furthermore, Maruti plans on opening exclusive dealerships with a different look and feel for selling its premium products. Already, sales of the Ciaz are handled by dedicated sales consultants called 'Ciaz consultants'. These new dealerships, reportedly known as 'Nixa', will further up the exclusivity quotient for the customer, the company believes.

Suzuki Ciaz Aero front three quarter left at the 2015 Bangkok Motor Show — The Ciaz has proven to be a successful launch for Maruti in the mid-size sedan segment.

Also read: Dealer dispatch of Maruti Celerio diesel to start this month

Maruti has struggled to sell cars priced in segments above INR 10 lakhs. Launches such as the Grand Vitara and Kizashi proved to be futile attempts at competing with other Japanese manufacturers like Honda and Toyota.

The report says that the new badging will come into effect from the end of June this year. The premium dealerships on the other hand are expected in year's time.

[Source - TeamBHP]