Maruti all set to launch Renault Kwid rival at 2018 Auto Expo

The Renault Kwid’s disruption of the Indian small car segment is not taken lightly by the incumbents Maruti and Hyundai. The SUV-ish hatchback’s immense success has prompted other automakers to rethink their small car product strategy.

It has now been reported that Maruti is all-set to reveal their new generation small car at the 2018 Auto Expo in New Delhi. This new small car will be seen with a SUVish style design and will be high on space and features.

Earlier this year, Maruti launched Ignis crossover hatchback in a segment above the Alto to rival the Mahindra KUV100. A similar approach for this new small car’s body style is expected. In order for Maruti to give the Kwid a run for its money, Maruti’s upcoming small car which is also touted as the next gen Alto, it will be locally engineered (to keep the development costs in check), heavily localized (to keep the production costs in check) and very light (to arrive at impressive fuel economy and performance).

Newly launched Renault Kwid has managed to eat over 20% of the market share in the segment, with monthly sales averaging to over 10,000 units. On the other hand, Maruti Alto’s sales have declined ever since the Kwid was introduced.

The new Maruti Alto will also be the most advanced ever. Apart from getting more spacious, and feature-rich, it may also get an SHVS equipped engine to lower emissions and return higher fuel efficiency. Maruti is also aiming at launching new generation WagonR and Celerio, all planned for launch in 2018/19.

This article has first appeared in Rushlane.com