The raised petrol prices have severely affected the entry-level car segment. Many buyers are looking for the diesel variantsin the segment or some cheaper alternative fuel version like the one equipped with LPG or CNG. The trend can be clearly seen in the Alto’s sales figures. In comparison to the 24,000 units it sold in the July last year, it was able to sell only 17,500 this July.
In April even Swift overtook the small cars becoming the highest selling model in India. The sales are much similar to the other cars in the segment since the petrol prices began to circle around Rs. 75 in the metros.
The CNG variants are now seen as the next best option for those who don’t want to invest a lot in upgrading to diesel but still want to put some check on their fuel expenditures. Now, Maruti is trying to gain this group of buyers by offering them with its popular 1.0 liter Alto K10. Maruti is already selling the CNG version of the 800 so it won’t be quite difficult to fit that into Alto as it possess same engine as Wagon R and Estilo and both have CNG options. It is quite sure that Maruti may reveal the CNG version of the Alto during festive season, off course with some compromised boot space thanks to the CNG kit.
It is also possible that 800’s replacement Alto 800 might also feature a CNG version right from the launch. The company is also working on new 800cc engine to power its smaller cars in next few years.