Maruti Suzuki launches Ciaz at Rs6.99 lakh for base version

Maruti Suzuki India (MSI), the country's largest carmaker, today launched its new mid-sized sedan Ciaz with an ex-showroom price tag of Rs6.99 lakh for the base petrol version.

The higher-end petrol variant of the sedan is priced at Rs9.34 lakh while the diesel variants are priced between Rs8.04 lakh and Rs9.8 lakh, respectively (ex-showroom Delhi).

"Millions of Indians have enjoyed Maruti cars for years. These customers are looking to upgrade to mid-sized sedans. Ciaz is for them, " MSI managing director and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa said at the launch.

He said the company has been able to achieve localisation content of 98 per cent for the car.

"Ciaz has been designed keeping in mind the needs and expectations of Indian sedan customers," Ayukawa said.

Ciaz petrol variant is powered by a 1.4 litre engine while the diesel variant is powered by a 1.3 litre engine.

MSI, along with its vendors, has invested Rs620 crore on development of Ciaz. The mid-sized sedan has been developed on a completely new platform.

In addition to the domestic market, the company also plans to export the car to markets in the Middle East, Latin America and Africa.

In India, Ciaz would compete with Honda City, priced between Rs7.19 lakh and Rs11.05 lakh and Hyundai Verna tagged between Rs7.39 lakh and Rs11.72 lakh, respectively (ex showroom Delhi).

MSI is reported to have received orders for 10,000 units since the bookings opened for the car last month

Ciaz will replace the SX4 sedan, which had a limited success. The SX4 sold about 3,000 units a month at its peak, while the current segment leader Honda City sells about 5,000 units a month.

Overall, the mid-sized segment witnesses sales of around 16,000 units per month.

Ayukawa said the company expected to sell 60,000 to 80,000 units during the first year of the launch, adding that the Indian automobile market has started to witness some signs of improvement after three years of slowdown.