Production version of Maruti Future-S Concept may revive Maruti Zen name

The production version of the Maruti Future-S concept that was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo in February may be christened as Maruti Zen reports Financial Express. The product will be a compact SUV/crossover positioned below the Maruti Vitara Brezza.

According to the publication, people sources close to the company claim that the production version of the Future-S concept will revive an old nameplate that has been used here in India in the past. While Zen seems like a likely option, there are other possibilities as well. The company may choose to market it as another variant of the Alto or label it as Maruti A-Star.

The production version of the Future-S Concept will be a crossover/SUV and could take the Renault Kwid head on. It is expected to arrive in FY 2020-21.

It should be noted that the revival of the Maruti Zen brand name is pure speculation based on the possibility that the company could adopt an existing name for the upcoming product. The nameplate does enjoy a strong image in India so, it wouldn't be a bad idea to revive it in order to cash in on its strong brand image. With the launch planned for 2020-21, there is a long way to go before we get any sort of confirmation regarding the name of the upcoming Maruti car.

According to a report from April 2018, Maruti Suzuki plans to launch five new products over the next two years. In the coming months, the company will launch the 2018 Maruti Ertiga that was unveiled in Indonesia in April. It will be followed by the introduction of the new all-new Maruti Wagon R before the end of the current year. The production version of the Maruti Future-S concept is likely to be a part of these five new models as well. As per reports, the new generation Maruti Alto is in the pipeline as well.

Also Read - Suzuki to manufacture 30,000-35,000 EVs in India in FY2021

Suzuki has inked a deal with Toyota to co-develop EVs for the Indian market. TKM has also announced that it intends to sell Toyota badged versions of the Maruti Baleno and Maruti Vitara Brezza in the Indian market. Maruti, on the other hand, will retail the Toyota Corolla Altis with its own badge.

[source - Financial Express]