There have been news of a Maruti 800 replacement in works and a launch by 2012 end is imminent. After ruling the Indian roads for over three decades, the Indian automaker’s entry-level hatch has come to its retirement. The Maruti 800 sold in India is the first generation Alto sold in international market, while the Alto sold in India is the last generation. After Maruti 800 retired across several states in the country, due to non-compliance with the BS4 emission norms, Alto took over as the bread and butter car for the Indian auto giant. The latest report by OnlineWSJ suggests that the Alto is also expecting a replacement by year end.
It doesn’t come as a surprise, as only last week, Maruti announced that the Swift has replaced the Maruti Alto from top spot as India’s leading car model. While the Swift diesel accounts for 80 percent of total sales figure of the hatch, Alto has no diesel trim available in market.
Though Industry experts suggest that Alto will fight back for the top spot in the upcoming months, sadly, Maruti’s A segment car will be replaced by the year end. However, reports suggest that the more powerful Maruti Alto K10 will continue to do duty in the Maruti Suzuki line up. Earlier reports of a 800 replacement rolling in could mean a single entry level model will replace both – 800 and Alto.
Having said that, the Maruti Alto replacement also features a fuel-efficient, 800 cc engine, while it is platformed alongside the current Alto K10. Maruti India’s senior executive at a press meeting reported this.
Apart from competition with diesel models, Alto also has some freshly entering competitors like the Hyundai Eon. Moreover, Fiat and Nissan have also announced an entry into the A segment hatchs, which mean Maruti will have to overhaul the Alto in terms of power and styling to survive in the Indian market.