Maruti launches SX4 to take on Honda City

Maruti Udyog (MUL), the car market leader, launched its premium sedan SX4 at an introductory price between Rs 6.18 lakh and Rs 6.89 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), while the top-end leather pack variant would be priced at Rs 7.24 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

The car is positioned to take on the might of Honda City, highest selling car in the premium mid sized car segment(Verna, Fiesta, Honda City). With 79 per cent localisation to begin with, MUL has been able to price SX4 around Rs 50,000 cheaper than the 1.5 litre Honda City. Other popular cars such as the Hyundai's Verna petrol version comes at the price of Rs 6.26 lakh, while the 1.6 litre Ford Fiesta petrol version starts at Rs 7.16 lakh.

Jagdish Khattar, managing director, MUL, who launched the car in Delhi today said, "The launch of 1.6 litre SX4 would graduate Maruti-Suzuki from a leading mini car maker to a complete car maker. Suzuki is betting big on SX4. It has a major role to play in changing the our image as a total car maker."

The company is offering best in class features in SX4 ,including, dual air bags, automatic temperature control, integrated stereo, and anti-brake system with electronic brake distribution, which are not available in competing models such as Honda City, Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Verna.

"This is the widest, longest and tallest car in its class. The features are contemporary to the A4 luxury segment cars. We have already dispatched 1,500 units of the new car and would send out another lot of 500 units tomorrow," Khattar added.