TLI Staff
New Delhi: Struggling to sell cars in the face of an extended slowdown, Japanese carmaker Maruti Suzuki on Monday launched min-SUV S-PRESSO in the price range of Rs 3.69-4.91 (ex-showroom).
The new offering from the country’s largest carmaker would compete with Renault Kwid, Datsun RediGo and Hyundai Santro among others.
Under the hood of the S-PRESSO is 1.0 litre K10 engine with BS-VI compliance. Equipped with both Manual and AGS (Auto Gear Shift) options, the company claimed the car delivers a peppy performance and great fuel efficiency.
The S-PRESSO will be sold countrywide through the extensive ARENA retail network and it comes with more than 10 safety features and is compliant with all safety regulations. It boasts of safety features such as dual airbags, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), seat belts with pre-tensioners and force limiters, driver/co-driver seat belt reminder, rear parking assist system, high speed warning alert and reverse parking sensors.
“I am happy to share that S-PRESSO joins our BS-VI range, as the 8th vehicle compliant with new emission norms. We are confident that S-PRESSO will bring excitement in its segment, attracting the ever evolving young customer,” said Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India here in the capital.
Most carmakers are finding it difficult to bring the buyers to their showrooms due to economic slowdown. The falling sales number has affected the automakers forcing many of them to retrench contractual as well as payroll staff. They have been lobbying with the government to reduce GST on vehicles from 28 per cent to 18 per cent.
The decline in vehicle sales is being considered the worst in the last two decades. The sales data shows passenger vehicle volume decline intensified in August 2019. The overall sales fell 32 per cent due to weak retail demand and inventory correction by major manufacturers.
Maruti’s volumes declined by 36 per cent year-on-year (five consecutive months of double-digit decline) in August 2019. Its nearest rival Hyundai India volumes fell by 17 per cent during this period. But new launches by carmakers are expected to shore up their volume. Maruti’s launch of S-PRESSO ahead of the festive season is set to help clock better sales volume in coming months.