The low-cost MPV space is a dominant segment in the Indonesian market and Suzuki does not want to be left behind against competition. The Japanese manufacturer will bring out the Wagon R 3-Row MPV LCGC (Low Cost Green Car) this year that was showcased at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) in 2013. In essence, the LCGC is to Indonesia, what the sub-4 metre segment is to India. Cars there are bound by engine size of 1.2-litres with a fuel economy of over 20 km/l and not the length of the vehicle.
Currently the Datsun GO+ is the only car of its kind in the LCGC segment and will commence sales from July onwards in the country. Suzuki does not want to miss the opportunity and will launch its own seven-seater LCGC MPV based on the Wagon R hatchback. The company unveiled the Wagon R 3-Row Concept at the IIMS last year and was analyzing the market response for the concept from visitors. The company stated that if Datsun can enter this segment, so can Suzuki and wants the three-row Wagon R to be on sale in the market this year. The precise launch date however, wasn’t disclosed.
The Wagon R 3-Row concept is essentially a stretched Wagon R with the addition of a third row at the rear. The car will most likely be powered by the 1.2-litre K-Series motor producing 85 PS and 115 Nm of torque. The concept looks spacious with plenty of headroom courtesy of the tall boy design and the large windows make way for an airy cabin. Styling wise, the vehicle looks like an extended Wagon R and gets minimal changes, apart from the larger rear doors and the extended body from the C-pillar. The third row seats are best suited for kids as the wheelbase hasn’t been extended.
The LCGC segment comprises of cars like the Toyota Agya, Daihatsu Ayla, Honda Brio Satya and the Suzuki Wagon R in Indonesia. The market is all set to grow by 125 percent to 1.25 lakh units this year from 51,000 units in 2013. Moreover, the LCGC segment is expected to make up for around 20 percent of the car market this year. The Maruti Wagon R is one of the best vehicles in the compact hatchback space in the country and considering the compact length and the subsequent excise benefits, Maruti will be able to price the Wagon R 3-Row very competitively, undercutting the Datsun GO+ and the Honda Mobilio in the segment by a significant margin. Will Maruti play the first mover card with the low-cost MPV in India?
Source – Otomotif.Kompas
