Maruti launches Dzire before the Swift for the first time

Maruti is going in all guns blazing to revive its position in the compact sedan segment and the company plans to start with the new next-generation Dzire. Though the Dzire is one of India's best-selling cars, sales have dipped substantially in the past, almost 15 percent year on year to 1,99,878 units in April-March 2017. The new SUV wave might be the reason for this, but Maruti is making every effort to win back demand.

The new model will have no Swift branding at all as Maruti wants a completely fresh image for the new Dzire. It will simply be referred to as the Maruti Dzire and be represented as a 'true' and independent sedan in its own right. Also, for the first time ever, it will be launched before the Swift hatchback, unlike the first two generations, where the Swift sedan followed the launch of the hatchback. C V Raman, executive director - research & development, Maruti Suzuki India, said, "Certainly the Dzire is its own car and a brand in itself, that's why we are confident of this."

The model is already under production at the company's Manesar factory and will be sold by the company's normal dealer channel. It will be interesting to see how Maruti's aggressive efforts to find a footing in the sedan segment again works out.