Maruti plans competitor for Honda Civic

After setting out to play the bigger game with its latest sedan SX4, the country's largest car maker Maruti Udyog Limited (MUL) is planning to launch a bigger car by 2009-10 that will take on the likes of Honda Civic.

Moreover, the company would be taking off one of its oldest models, the Esteem. A sedan version of the runaway success 'Swift' will take its place by next year.

According to vendor sources, MUL has already sounded its major component suppliers to gear up for a big car project, which will be launched by 2009-10.

The company is also scheduled to launch a new compact car in 2009, which primarily would cater to the European market. It plans to launch it in the domestic market as well.

MUL officials declined to comment on future plans.

However, industry sources said that the big car from the MUL stable will compete with the likes of Honda Civic, one of the most successful models in the fast growing A4 segment, and others such as Toyota Corolla and Skoda Octavia Rider, in the Rs 10-12 lakh bracket.

MUL's plan to play the bigger game is buoyed by the success of its SX4 sedan, which made a dent in the segment led by Honda Siel's City model.

Globally also, Maruti's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corp, has sought an image makeover from being a successful small car maker to a firm with competence in big cars as well.

The new Swift sedan to replace the Esteem is expected in both petrol and diesel variants.

The sources, however, said that the company would continue to provide service support for the Esteem, as it has done with other models that have been phased out.

Although Esteem is still in demand, specially by fleet operators, Maruti has decided on the Swift sedan to take on the competition in the mid-size sedan segment and Tata Motor's new generation Indigo series coming in next year, the sources explained.