Maruti Suzuki India launches Ertiga, starting at Rs 5.89 lakh

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The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India on Thursday launched its compact multi purpose vehicle Ertiga at introductory price of up to Rs 8.45 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) as the company looks to tap the fast growing utility vehicles segment.

Ertiga will be available in both petrol and diesel variants. The petrol variant is priced between Rs 5.89 lakh and Rs 7.30 lakh, while the diesel option will cost between Rs 7.30 lakh and Rs 8.45 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

While the petrol variant is powered with a 1.4 litre engine, the diesel one will have a 1.3 litre powertrain.

The company said the petrol variant delivers a fuel economy of 16.02 kmpl and the diesel one gives 20.77 kmpl.

"Utility Vehicles are a promising segment, and we have been largely absent from here so far. The segment has demonstrated a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20 per cent over the past three years. We strongly believe that this trend will continue in future," Maruti Suzuki India Managing Director and CEO S. Nakanishi told reporters here.

At present, the MUV and SUV segment in India witness sales of about 30,000 units a month.

MSI has invested of about Rs 400 crore to develop the Ertiga, which the company said is a critical vehicle not only for it but also for its parent Suzuki Motor Corp.

It has, however, been designed with specific focus on the Indian market.

At the Auto Expo in January, Nakanishi had said "Ertiga holds big significance for Maruti Suzuki in India and for Suzuki Motor Corporation for the global markets."

India is the first market to sell Ertiga and will be followed by other South East Asian markets, the company said.

MSI is targetting urban families, which are looking for a vehicle that offers more space and flexibility than a sedan, with the Ertiga.