Maruti rolls out no-frills Versa variant

Maruti Udyog Ltd, the country's largest carmaker, today launched a stripped-down variant of its multi-purpose-vehicle Versa at Rs 3.27 lakhs (Ex-showroom Delhi), about Rs 74,000 less than the existing base model of the vehicle, in an aggressive bid to increase sales.

A MUL spokesman said the 1300cc vehicle would be positioned as an upgrade over the existing Omni van and M-800 car as well as compact car buyers.

The five-seater has a heater but does not sport an airconditioner, power steering or power windows.

The spokesman, however, ruled any competition between the new version and the existing compact cars such as WagonR and Zen as the vehicle would be mainly targeted at families, fleet operators and the tourism industry.

Maruti will continue to sell the existing three variants - Versa DX, DX2 and the top end Versa SDX, which are priced between Rs 4.01 lakh and Rs 4.92 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), a company release said.

Sales of the Versa has increased by over three times to nearly 4000 units during April-February 2003-04 from 1,285 units in the same period last year.

The MUL spokesman said over 800,000 Omni vans have been sold till now and the Versa has also been increasingly accepted in the market.