Maruti Udyog Ltd on Tuesday unveiled Estilo, a new model of Zen, signalling dynamic efforts to strengthen its presence in the fastest growing segment of the industry.
The car will be available in four variants with a price tag ranging between Rs 3.19 lakh and Rs 4.02 lakh (ex-showroom in the Capital). The new Zen is expected to take on Hyundai Santro and Tata Indica.
It will be available in eight colours. Zen Estilo will be available to customers for Rs 3,19,403. And while Zen Estilo Lxi will cost Rs 3,48,403, Zen Estilo Vxi ABS has a price tag of Rs 4,02,403.
Earlier this year in March, Maruti had discontinued Zen in its earlier avatar.
The first-generation Zen was launched in 1993 and the company had sold 7.60 lakh models until March this year, including the export of 1.22 lakh units.
At the time of discontinuation of production, Maruti was selling nearly 4,000 units of Zen every month in the domestic market.
Zen Estilo is roomier than the original Zen and has a 1,061 cc engine. It delivers 64 bhp, thereby making it an ideal vehicle for Indian city conditions, Maruti officials say.
Explaining the company’s strategy for launching the car, Maruti Managing Director Jagdish Khattar said, "Young people in India today desire products with contemporary styling and international appeal. The new Zen will appeal to this new India, just as the original Zen appealed to the India of mid-1990s. It incorporates features and attributes that are uniquely suited to India and valued by Indian car buyers."
{{/usCountry}}Explaining the company’s strategy for launching the car, Maruti Managing Director Jagdish Khattar said, "Young people in India today desire products with contemporary styling and international appeal. The new Zen will appeal to this new India, just as the original Zen appealed to the India of mid-1990s. It incorporates features and attributes that are uniquely suited to India and valued by Indian car buyers."
{{/usCountry}}The compact car A-2 segment has posted 27.5 per cent growth between April and October this year with 4.08 lakh units being sold compared to 3.2 lakh units in the corresponding period last year. As a result, the share of the A-2 segment cars to total sales rose to 63.7 per cent as against 60.6 per cent last year.
However, Maruti grew at a rate less than the industry average as it had discontinued the production of the first generation Zen. Maruti sold 2,30,137 units during April-October this year, a growth of 23.5 per cent from 1,86,035 units in the same period last year.
Maruti’s marekt share in the A-2 segment in the seven months of the financial year is 56.4 per cent.
Email Deepak Joshi: djoshi@hindustantimes.com