Maruti Ciaz, Compact SUV and LCV in Next 12 Months

Good looks or value for money? photoHonda has entered the Indian compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) market with the all-new Mobilio. This compact MPV blends style and practicality into a convincing package that Honda hopes will enable it to compete with Maruti Suzuki’s Ertiga. The Ertiga, which has the advantage of Maruti’s strong point—the top-of-the-line diesel version costs nearly Rs.1.5 lakh less than the Mobilio—has had an unchallenged run so far. At first glance When parked next to each other, the Honda does seem to make the Maruti look more van-like in its proportions. And while the Ertiga does have a pleasing shape and nice proportions, the Mobilio, with its kinks in the window line, floating D-pillar and smartly designed tailgate and tail lights, looks more premium, and certainly feels like it belongs to a higher segment. The core photo The Mobilio’s dashboard (top) doesn’t have the premium feel Ertiga’s does The Mobilio has a 1.5-litre diesel motor, the same as the new City sedan, and is more powerful than Ertiga’s 1.3-litre engine. The Honda engine is more responsive and there’s plenty of power in reserve for overtaking and slicing through traffic. The Ertiga’s diesel motor is sluggish at low revolutions and you constantly need to change gears to get the most out of the engine. But once it gets going, the Ertiga has a nice spring in its step and feels more refined than the Mobilio. Honda’s relaxed engine is more fuel-efficient, especially on the highway. Over rough territory In terms of ride quality, the Mobilio does a decent job of shielding occupants from rough roads. It delivers a consistent ride and is unfazed by bad surfaces. The Ertiga cushions its occupants from bad roads adequately—but not as well as the Mobilio. Also, the Mobilio feels more stable at high speeds and more nimble in town too, thanks to a light steering. Again, it’s easy to manoeuvre through the tight spots in the Ertiga, with its tighter turning circle, but it doesn’t have the Mobilio’s fantastic driving position and all-round visibility, which makes judging the extremities of the car a shade easier. Inner soul For the interiors, Honda has used its expertise at packaging and the cabin feels roomier than Ertiga’s. The dashboard is the familiar one from the Brio hatchback, and that’s not a good thing. The centre console and instruments look and feel basic and this detracts from the overall, otherwise good, quality of the cabin. Though the Mobilio’s dashboard may not feel as premium as the Ertiga’s, Honda’s strengths lie in the storage spaces provided. Cup holders, storage bins and cubbyholes are aplenty and the Mobilio has more luggage space too, which is vital for long trips. The feeling of space becomes more evident as you move to the second row of the Mobilio. There’s generous legroom and large windows, a happy contrast to the cooped-up feeling you get in the Ertiga. Getting in through the Mobilio’s wide-opening doors is comfortable, as is climbing into the third row—the second-row seats flip forward completely. It’s harder to access the Ertiga’s third row but once you’re sitting, it is a touch more comfortable. Bells and whistles photo Honda has kitted out the Mobilio well. There’s tilt-adjust steering, reclining seats for the second and third rows, a 2-Din audio system with steering-mounted controls, keyless entry, rear washer and wiper, defogger and height-adjustable driver’s seat, along with rear air-conditioner vents. Other features for the top-end version are dual airbags, two-tone interiors, electrically adjustable wing mirrors and a tailgate spoiler. In the diesel models, there is even an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution. The Ertiga has similar levels of equipment and is more affordable. Both MPVs, however, lack rear-parking sensors, a rather useful feature in this class of cars. A matter of choice To sum up, the Mobilio is better to look at, nicer to drive and has a premium look that can make it an alternative to a family sedan. No doubt, it’s on the pricey side but Honda feels that it can command a premium for its badge. The Ertiga doesn’t have the overall appeal of the Mobilio but it has more comfortable seats, is a touch more refined and is better value for money. Money matters The Mobilio range with the diesel engine starts at Rs.7.89 lakh for the base E version, while the top-of-the-line V variant costs Rs.9.76 lakh. Another version, the RS, priced at Rs.10.86 lakh, will be launched in September and this will sit above the V. The Ertiga LDI costs Rs.7,22,630 while the fully-loaded ZDI version costs Rs.8,49,416. The more loaded the model, the greater the price difference between the two cars

Read more at: http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/zAEWq9KAxrNhcDKn3XCWII/FaceOff--Honda-Mobilio-vs-Maruti-Suzukis-Ertiga.html?utm_source=copy

Good looks or value for money? photoHonda has entered the Indian compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) market with the all-new Mobilio. This compact MPV blends style and practicality into a convincing package that Honda hopes will enable it to compete with Maruti Suzuki’s Ertiga. The Ertiga, which has the advantage of Maruti’s strong point—the top-of-the-line diesel version costs nearly Rs.1.5 lakh less than the Mobilio—has had an unchallenged run so far. At first glance When parked next to each other, the Honda does seem to make the Maruti look more van-like in its proportions. And while the Ertiga does have a pleasing shape and nice proportions, the Mobilio, with its kinks in the window line, floating D-pillar and smartly designed tailgate and tail lights, looks more premium, and certainly feels like it belongs to a higher segment. The core photo The Mobilio’s dashboard (top) doesn’t have the premium feel Ertiga’s does The Mobilio has a 1.5-litre diesel motor, the same as the new City sedan, and is more powerful than Ertiga’s 1.3-litre engine. The Honda engine is more responsive and there’s plenty of power in reserve for overtaking and slicing through traffic. The Ertiga’s diesel motor is sluggish at low revolutions and you constantly need to change gears to get the most out of the engine. But once it gets going, the Ertiga has a nice spring in its step and feels more refined than the Mobilio. Honda’s relaxed engine is more fuel-efficient, especially on the highway. Over rough territory In terms of ride quality, the Mobilio does a decent job of shielding occupants from rough roads. It delivers a consistent ride and is unfazed by bad surfaces. The Ertiga cushions its occupants from bad roads adequately—but not as well as the Mobilio. Also, the Mobilio feels more stable at high speeds and more nimble in town too, thanks to a light steering. Again, it’s easy to manoeuvre through the tight spots in the Ertiga, with its tighter turning circle, but it doesn’t have the Mobilio’s fantastic driving position and all-round visibility, which makes judging the extremities of the car a shade easier. Inner soul For the interiors, Honda has used its expertise at packaging and the cabin feels roomier than Ertiga’s. The dashboard is the familiar one from the Brio hatchback, and that’s not a good thing. The centre console and instruments look and feel basic and this detracts from the overall, otherwise good, quality of the cabin. Though the Mobilio’s dashboard may not feel as premium as the Ertiga’s, Honda’s strengths lie in the storage spaces provided. Cup holders, storage bins and cubbyholes are aplenty and the Mobilio has more luggage space too, which is vital for long trips. The feeling of space becomes more evident as you move to the second row of the Mobilio. There’s generous legroom and large windows, a happy contrast to the cooped-up feeling you get in the Ertiga. Getting in through the Mobilio’s wide-opening doors is comfortable, as is climbing into the third row—the second-row seats flip forward completely. It’s harder to access the Ertiga’s third row but once you’re sitting, it is a touch more comfortable. Bells and whistles photo Honda has kitted out the Mobilio well. There’s tilt-adjust steering, reclining seats for the second and third rows, a 2-Din audio system with steering-mounted controls, keyless entry, rear washer and wiper, defogger and height-adjustable driver’s seat, along with rear air-conditioner vents. Other features for the top-end version are dual airbags, two-tone interiors, electrically adjustable wing mirrors and a tailgate spoiler. In the diesel models, there is even an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution. The Ertiga has similar levels of equipment and is more affordable. Both MPVs, however, lack rear-parking sensors, a rather useful feature in this class of cars. A matter of choice To sum up, the Mobilio is better to look at, nicer to drive and has a premium look that can make it an alternative to a family sedan. No doubt, it’s on the pricey side but Honda feels that it can command a premium for its badge. The Ertiga doesn’t have the overall appeal of the Mobilio but it has more comfortable seats, is a touch more refined and is better value for money. Money matters The Mobilio range with the diesel engine starts at Rs.7.89 lakh for the base E version, while the top-of-the-line V variant costs Rs.9.76 lakh. Another version, the RS, priced at Rs.10.86 lakh, will be launched in September and this will sit above the V. The Ertiga LDI costs Rs.7,22,630 while the fully-loaded ZDI version costs Rs.8,49,416. The more loaded the model, the greater the price difference between the two cars.

Read more at: http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/zAEWq9KAxrNhcDKn3XCWII/FaceOff--Honda-Mobilio-vs-Maruti-Suzukis-Ertiga.html?utm_source=copy

Maruti Suzuki India is gearing up for a launch programme for a slew of products, including mid sized sedan Ciaz and an LCV along with compact SUV, in the next 12 months to strengthen its hold in the domestic market.
"We are poised for entering into a strong product launch cycle, including Ciaz and an LCV (light commercial vehicle) and refreshes of existing models in the next 12 months from now," Maruti Suzuki India Vice-President Rahul Bharti told analysts in a conference call.
The company will also be making its foray into compact SUV segment, he said without sharing the timeline for the launch of the products.
Maruti Ciaz

Also Read: Upcoming Maruti, Hyundai and Honda Cars, Game of Thrones Style
The company had showcased two concept cars - SX4 S-Cross and Ciaz during the Auto Expo held in February this year.
Its compact SUV based on XA Alpha, displayed in 2012 Auto Expo is long awaited. The product is likely to be launched early next year.
These upcoming products are in line with its strategy to to enhance market share in India. MSI increased its market share in passenger vehicle segment in the first quarter of the current fiscal to 42 per cent.
In the April-June period, the company sold 2,41,812 units of passenger cars and utility vehicles out of an industry total of 5,73,038 units, garnering 42.19 per cent market share, according to SIAM data.
MSI has earmarked a capex of Rs. 4,000 crore for this ongoing fiscal in order to support the new launches, increasing marketing infrastructure and building of stockyards, warehouses and other normal expenditure, company Chief Financial Officer Ajay Seth said.
On the distribution network for the upcoming LCV, Bharti said the company would keep in mind the need for its car customers to be offered the ideal showroom experience, hinting that the LCV could have a separate outlets.
Despite a late entrant in the LCV segment, MSI is confident of doing well, Bharti said stating its product would have distinct advantages over competition.
With MSI joining hands with parent Suzuki Motor Corporation, Seth said on products such as the compact SUV the rate of royalty payment would be less.
"As we mature and lot more joint product development happen our royalty rate will come down," he said, adding in the first quarter the royalty payment was around 6 per cent of net sales

source:-http://auto.ndtv.com