Maruti, M&M roll out new models

With the automobile sector witnessing a long spell of slow down, Indian car makers are lining up new models to push their sales.

“To pep up the market in the slow moving car bazaar, car market leader Maruti Suzuki has introduced an exciting limited edition of its popular model Estilo as EstiloNlive,” the country’s largest car maker said in a statment on Tuesday.

The limited edition hatchback Estilo would be priced at `3.92 lakh (ex- showroom, Delhi).

Commenting on the new launch, Maruti Suzuki India vice president (marketing) Manohar Bhat said: “In recent months, we have had good success with limited editions of some of our recent models such as Wagon R, A-star and Alto. We are confident that the EstiloNlive will be liked by the customers for its features list.”

The features, which the model would sport, include leather seat covers, double-din sound system with USB, dual tone interiors, body graphics, full wheel covers and beige parcel tray. “The full package of 14 new features on the EstiloNlive is worth `23,000 and it is being provided at a special customer offer price of `15,000,” the company said.

Mahindra Reva, a part of the Mahindra Group, meanwhile, would be launching its new generation electric vehicle, e2o on March 18.

The price, however, is yet to be announced.

The car will use next generation Lithium Ion batteries and “will have a range of 100 km on a full charge, which is suitable for most urban commuters, said Pawan Goenka, the president for automotive and farm equipment business of M&M Group.

Electric cars have long been considered unsuitable for long distance transportation due to lack of recharge facilities in the country. The new e2o is expected to address this concern. “We hope that our initiative will find the desired support and incentives from governmental agencies that will support us in providing clean mobility solutions,” Mr Goenka said.