Suzuki wont build Nano rival

Suzuki, which currently holds more than 50% of market share in India in the four wheeler segment have decisively announced that they will not build a rival to the Tata Nano, currently the World’s cheapest car which retails for Rs 1.2 lakhs (US$ 2,200). Maruti faces huge threat from the Nano once its Sanand plant starts mass production of the Nano while its mid-range hatchbacks are under threat from new cars like the Ford Figo, VW Polo, Chevrolet Beat and the Nissan Micra.

Osamu Suzuki, Chairman of Suzuki says that any car below their current lineup would not be a car anymore. If you can recall, Osamu Suzuki had expressed doubts over the 1 lakh car project passing on comments if the project would result in a quadricycle or a vehicle which would look like two bikes combined together. We do feel how Osamu Suzuki would have felt after the Nano’s launch. Osamu Suzuki says a car cheaper than its current models “wouldn’t be a car any more”. Well he has had a good look at the Nano and we think compared to the Nano, the 800 is nothing more than a metal box which can only dream about passing European standards. The Nano is a modern vehicle and the 800 will turn 30 in 2013. So much for his comments.

Suzuki is apparently worried about watering down safety and comfort standards in a super-cheap mode (does 800 meet any kind of standards at all?). Even details like switching to a cost-saving single windscreen wiper (Toyota Etios too sports it and we dont think it degrades the quality) will erode those standards, the Japanese company reckons. We are quite sure that the time has come for Suzuki to really do something. Its A-Star, WagonR, Estilo, Alto and the 800 would lose market share very rapidly in the coming months as rivals like the Beat and Figo take over. Lets see what India’s most experienced car maker does to retain its market share.

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