New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) on Wednesday launched a diesel variant of hatchback Celerio, powered by parent Suzuki's first diesel engine, priced between Rs 4.65 lakh and Rs 5.71 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
The Celerio diesel powered by an 793cc engine offers a fuel economy of 27.62 kmpl and the model also marks the global launch of the DDiS 125, first diesel engine designed and developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation.
Maruti Suzuki India Managing Director and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa said: "It is designed to offer a smooth drive and strengthens Celerio's reputation as a car that offers easy drive in cities as well as highways."
Maruti Suzuki and its suppliers have together invested over Rs 900 crore towards the development of DDiS 125 engine and is localised up to 97 percent.
The petrol-powered manual transmission variants of the Celerio are priced between Rs 3.90 lakh and Rs 4.96 lakh, while the auto gear shift variants of the compact car are priced between Rs 4.4 lakh and Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Celerio Auto Gear Shift variants have the flexibility of both manual mode and auto drive mode in the same car, with a simple shift of gear lever.
The company also sells a CNG powered version of the car priced at Rs 4.85 lakh.
Launched in February 2014, the Celerio model has clocked over 95,000 units with nearly a third of the total sales coming from auto gear shift variants.
Kenichi Ayukawa said the company expects about 20-30 per cent of Celerio sales to come from diesel models. The company, at present manufactures 5,000-6,000 Celerio units per month.
On Maruti Suzuki's diesel engine development, he said: "Our engineers are constantly working on a variety of products. However, how many of them hit the market would depend on demand."
Asked if the company was working on bigger diesel engines which can power larger vehicles, including SUVs, Ayukawa said "as we have already developed a two-cylinder diesel engine, making a bigger four cylinder engine isn't a difficult job but as of now we cannot say anything".
He also ruled out replacing the popular 1.3 diesel engines sourced from Fiat that powers many models, including the Swift, Dzire, Ritz, Ertiga and Ciaz.
"That engine is very well accepted by customers and we don't intend to replace it," Ayukawa said.
When asked about the reasons to come out with a diesel powered car, when the market has started to move towards petrol versions, Executive Director, Marketing & Sales, R S Kalsi said that the company's research showed that there is a demand for diesel cars in lower hatchback segment.
"Our market research shows that 40 per cent of the customers who came for lower hatchbacks showed interest in the diesel vehicle...Around 86 per cent wanted to buy a diesel vehicle if it is produced by a company like Maruti," he added.
Commenting on the production capacity of the diesel Celerio, Kalsi said the company has a flexible manufacturing that could be altered according to market demand.
The DDiS 125 diesel engine is being manufactured at the company's Gurgaon plant.
Asked if the Celerio diesel would be exported, Kalsi said: "It would be sold in domestic market for the time being."
Commenting on the long-term goals of the company, he said Maruti Suzuki planned to sell a total of two million units by 2020.
"Our goal is to sell two million vehicles by 2020 and for that we plan to launch many new products and technologies for our customers. As market leaders our role is to look at the needs of the customer and fill the gaps...Launch of diesel Celerio is a step towards that direction," Ayukawa said.
MSI Executive Director-Engineering, CV Raman said that the 793cc diesel engine is BS-IV compliant and could be upgraded for future norms too.
