The three decade-old Maruti 800 will bid its final goodbyes before the end of this calender year, to make way for its revamped avatar.
The model had already stopped being sold in the top 13 cities in India from Sep 2010 as it could not meet the Bharat Stage IV emissions norms made mandatory in these cities from that date.
The new model of the car, to be launched under a new brand but the same platform, will use the same F8D engine used in the base Alto, although updated to match competition.
The car will be priced in the range of Rs.2.5-3.5 lakh.
“A replacement for the 800cc model makes sense as it hasn't been selling very aggressively at about 2,000 units a month. This will be a totally new small car, though based on an existing platform,” reports said quoting a company official.
Reports said that Maruti Suzuki will focus the main purchase parameters in the small car segment i.e. fuel efficiency and low maintenance.
By RAZI ANWAR (PGDM 2nd sem)