rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Business » Auto Expo 2014: Maruti launches 'Celerio' at Rs 4.96 lakh
This article was first published 10 years ago

Auto Expo 2014: Maruti launches 'Celerio' at Rs 4.96 lakh

Last updated on: February 06, 2014 15:48 IST


Photographs: Courtesy, Maruti Suzuki

Aimed at strengthening its position in the compact car segment, country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) on Thursday launched 'Celerio', priced between Rs 3.9 lakh and Rs 4.96 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Auto Expo 2014: Complete Coverage

Auto Expo 2014: Maruti launches 'Celerio' at Rs 4.96 lakh


Photographs: Courtesy, Maruti Suzuki

"Given the congestion on Indian roads, the demand for auto mode is no brainer. Presently, cars with automatic transmission are less than 5 per cent," MSI MD and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa said.

Auto Expo 2014: Complete Coverage

Auto Expo 2014: Maruti launches 'Celerio' at Rs 4.96 lakh


Photographs: Courtesy, Maruti Suzuki

The manual transmission models (four) are priced between Rs 3.9 lakh and Rs 4.96 lakh, while the auto gear shift variants (two) are priced at Rs 4.29 lakh and Rs 4.59 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Auto Expo 2014: Complete Coverage

Auto Expo 2014: Maruti launches 'Celerio' at Rs 4.96 lakh


Photographs: Courtesy, Maruti Suzuki

Celerio Auto Gear Shift variants will have the flexibility of both manual mode and auto drive mode in the same car, with a simple shift of gear lever.

Auto Expo 2014: Complete Coverage

Auto Expo 2014: Maruti launches 'Celerio' at Rs 4.96 lakh


Photographs: Courtesy, Maruti Suzuki

"Celerio will cater to a growing demand for vehicles with automatic gear shift at an affordable price," he said. With the new compact car, MSI has worked on addressing three key issues associated with automatic transmission cars -- high cost of acquisition, low fuel economy and maintenance hassles.

Auto Expo 2014: Complete Coverage

Tags: Celerio , MSI

Auto Expo 2014: Maruti launches 'Celerio' at Rs 4.96 lakh


Photographs: Courtesy, Maruti Suzuki

According to the company, about 25 per cent of consumers who come to its showrooms enquire about cars with automatic transmission but the conversion rate was very poor once they found those issues related with such vehicles.

Auto Expo 2014: Complete Coverage

Auto Expo 2014: Maruti launches 'Celerio' at Rs 4.96 lakh


Photographs: Courtesy, Maruti Suzuki

Currently, an automatic transmission (AT) version of a car in the market is more expensive by up to Rs. 1.1 lakh than its manual transmission version.

Auto Expo 2014: Complete Coverage

Tags: Celerio

Auto Expo 2014: Maruti launches 'Celerio' at Rs 4.96 lakh


Photographs: Courtesy, Maruti Suzuki

MSI has already started taking bookings for the car. In the past, the company has launched AT version of its compact cars, including the Zen and A-Star, but their prohibitive prices made it difficult to crack the market.

Auto Expo 2014: Complete Coverage

Auto Expo 2014: Maruti launches 'Celerio' at Rs 4.96 lakh


The Celerio will be pitched against the likes of Hyundai's Grand i10 and Honda's Brio, whose automatic versions are priced at Rs. 6.04 lakh and Rs.6.19 lakh, respectively (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Auto Expo 2014: Complete Coverage

Auto Expo 2014: Maruti launches 'Celerio' at Rs 4.96 lakh


The Celerio will offer a fuel efficiency of 23.1 km per litre. The car comes with features like alloy-wheels and blue-tooth connectivity across variants. Celerio which sports

1 litre K-next engine, would be available in seven colours. MSI's current compact car portfolio comprises Swift, Estilo and Ritz. 

Auto Expo 2014: Complete Coverage

© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.