The Japanese auto major, Suzuki Motor Corporation is rumoured to have taken a decision of producing the next generation Suzuki Alto in Thailand from 2014. The Suzuki Alto made in Thailand will further be exported to Japan for sale in the home country. Currently, Suzuki has 2 versions of the Alto, one called the Japanese Domestic Model and the other, the Global Model. Currently, the Alto is manufactured at the Maruti Suzuki plant to cater to the needs of the local and European exports and in China.
Now, Suzuki has also opened up a plant in Rayong in east Thailand and the Alto might see a shift in its production base to this plant. A total of 20 billion yen has been invested by Suzuki in the construction of this manufacturing plant and has pressing, welding, painting, assembly and engine manufacturing facilities. It will have an annual turnover capacity of 100,000 to 139,000 units and Suzuki expects to roll out close to 10,000 units in the first year from this plant.
The Japanese auto company is also planning on coming up with a small car called “Swift” in Thailand. The car is expected to be powered by the 1.0 or 1.2 litre K series gasoline engine and will be sold in the Asian, African, Middle East and Oceanic countries. The Swift will be produced in Suzuki’s Thai plant and imported back to Japan in 2015. This would help Suzuki to utilize their Thai manufacturing facility and also keep costs relatively low since production costs are going to be lot lesser compared to Japan. Will the small car Swift come to India? Suzuki is already planning on replacing the Alto with a completely new car for quite some time and the Swift might be the answer.
Source – SuzukiFan
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Rajan February 15, 2012 at 9:20 pm
AStar is a flop. Maruti is making a big mistake with ASTar looks…. Soon they are going to loose number one slot…
Sushrut February 16, 2012 at 9:33 am
Maruti’s entire success is based on 2-3 models from its entire portfolio, namely Swift, Dezire , Alto to a large extent. Other models like Ritz, Wagon R do sell but these are often second choices. Maruti should be worried.
amx February 20, 2012 at 11:49 pm
Maruti is definitely one of the most lethargic car makers around, that has stuck to past, throwing away all opportunities earned all this while. Following are the blunders Maruti has committed, and will continue to do :
1) The relaunched version of M800 (Gen 2) was one of the best looking hatchbacks (without any serious competition). Maruti phased it out, and launched a boxy version of M800 that looked cheap, and ran bad, with low quality plastics doing no justice to the reputation.
2) Zen was launched. Maruti priced it really bad initially, and sales were hit. The prices were refactored, and Zen gained popularity. The 1993 Zen was, and still remains the most proportionate looking hatchbacks. Zen was discontinued and relaunched as Zen Estilo. Zen Estilo is nothing but a Wagon R. Wagon R and Zen Estilo continue to be sold right now.
3) Alto was launched (though Alto should have been a successor of M800, and shared the same chassis and engine). Maruti continues to sell both M800 and Alto.
4) M800 > Zen > Alto is the actual succession, while all 3 gen cars are continued to be sold under different models.
5) Ambulances are based out of Omni! A vehicle that’s not even tested for crash tests.
6) Versa was a disaster just because Maruti bloated up the prices. When it didn’t sell, Maruti relaunced Versa with no-frills version, while still continuing selling Omni. Versa should have been an automatic successor to Omni.
7) Esteem that was the most popular sedans, was relaunced with a disaster design treatment (grille modifications), and then later discontinued, only to be replaced by an disproportionate DZire (and it sells just because it’s cheap to buy).
8) Baleno – where’s it gone? The rally specialist car, that could have been what DZire is right now (only if Maruti had considered correct pricing and diesel options).
9) Why is Gypsy not launched in Diesel still? And even with Petrol, it still does not come with an AC unit, and no power windows, and no stereo. Gypsy diesel could have given a serious threat to entry level SUV segment (Scorpio, Safari).
Maruti is a disaster, and the so called next generation Suzuki Alto launch in 2014 is nothing but a revamped A-star. Can someone better lead Maruti before it’s too late?
Faisal February 22, 2012 at 1:09 am
Amx, excellent analysis there. Yes there are only 3 cars which Maruti is able to sell well, the Swift, DZire and the Alto. Rest of them are being pushed through discounts.
gowtham March 20, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Its awsome it looks like ritz and estilo mixed up ther is no competion for suzuki
amx March 21, 2012 at 2:51 pm
It’s not Ritz and Estilo mixed, but it’s an A-Star.
Anand October 21, 2012 at 1:40 pm
It is a Nice car in my view, they should immediately Launch ALTO eco in Indian Market in order to remain on TOP Position in Car Market. Other vise other car compaies will take over the Larger share in this segment. Therefore wake-up and Launch It NOW No delay, Capture the Indian Market for Next Ten Year. It is Guaranteed. (Anand)