Launch plans for Maruti Suzuki Ignis Micro Crossover is said to be pushed further by 4-6 months. The reason for the postponement is to clear the backlogs of Baleno hatch and Vitara Brezza as both of them has received over 1 lakh bookings respectively. This made production plans deferred by at least 2-3 months from the initial plans of next month. Ignis was slated for the launch during this festive season but now it will be launched in the first quarter of 2017.
The two best selling models Vitara Brezza and Baleno have kept brand’s production facility busy since launch. But the demand is such high that they both still command waiting period of around 6-8 months depending upon the variant and city. Baleno is the second product to be sold via NEXA range and played a major role in one lakh sale milestone obtained by brand in the first twelve of its operations.
Looking by the company’s prospective the decision seems to be a smart one as the new launch would pressurize the already strained assembly line. Going by the initial impressions the Baleno RS will surely grab the footfalls which result in additional bookings which might put immense stress on the existing sources of the brand and would lead to extended waiting periods.
Consequently, the brand is now concentrating more on trimming down the waiting period of its brisk selling models.
Showcased at 2016 Auto Expo, the sub compact car gets tall boy stance, U shaped LED DRLs, honeycomb mesh grille, 18 inch alloys wheels, silver roof rails, tablet like Smartplay touchscreen infotainment system, multi function steering wheel and standard dual front airbags and ABS. The crossover measure 3700mm in length, 1660mm in width, 1595mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2435mm. It offers 180mm of ground clearance.
The Ignis to draw power from a 1.2l K series petrol and 1.3l DDIs diesel with SHVS technology and 1.0l booster jet could be launched at a later stage. It is expected to be priced in the range of Rs. 4.5-7 lakh (Ex-showroom) and will face the competition from Mahindra KUV100 and Renault Kwid.
