Automobiles major Maruti Udyog Ltd plans to begin customer bookings for the new, facelifted Maruti 800 from the first week of September. The waiting period for delivery is expected to be around four weeks, with the first car expected to hit the road by mid-October.
The new model is expected to be priced around Rs 8,000 higher than the existing model. It will be available both with and without air-conditioning and will come in new and varied colours.
The hatchback shape of the existing Maruti 800 is being replaced with the aerodynamically sounder jellybean design, which has already been incorporated in the Zen. The softer 800 cc is expected to provide direct competition to the existing model after its launch.
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Therefore, in an effort to push sales of the existing 800 cc car, Maruti has waived its restriction on the use of dealer funds for car bookings.
The company wrote to all its dealers late last month, authorising them to use their own funds for bulk bookings of the standard car, which will then be sold to customers according to specific orders. This new circular relaxes Marutis previous policy of allowing dealers to place orders with the company only against confirmed customer bookings and payments.
As a result of this scheme, Maruti expects to clear the entire stock of this months production, estimated to be about 14,000 cars, in five weeks.
The automobiles major will also introduce three new metallic colours in both its air-conditioned and non- air-conditioned variants this month.
The standard 800 cc will soon be available in passion yellow, Ionian blue and aquamarine three popular colours in which the Zen is already available.
The facelifted model marks the first phase of upgradation of the Maruti 800.
In the second phase, Maruti Udyog intends to replace the existing car with an entirely new model which will have an upgraded engine and suspension systems, apart from a new body and other features.
Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan, the joint venture partner in Maruti Udyog and its technology supplier is currently working on the exact specifications of the new 800 cc car.
THE MARUTI 800 MAKEOVER
Three new metallic colours to be introduced for current 800 cc hatchback model
Customer bookings for new-look jellybean model to open next month
New model to be priced at about Rs 8,000 more than existing model
Delivery period of new-look model pegged at four weeks
Entirely new model to be developed in second phase of Maruti 800 upgradation