Maruti Makes New Alto More Premium As Buyers Move Away From Entry-Level Hatchbacks

The Alto is still and will be a hugely popular car but with changing tastes, buyers are moving to the pricier Wagon R or the sportier Swift/Baleno.

Maruti is keen to change the Alto brand and make it more premium

Source : Maruti

New Delhi: The best-selling cars are more about SUVs and premium hatchbacks with the likes of the Swift or the Baleno outselling the Alto. That brings a question of whether Indian car-buyers are not interested in buying entry-level cars and are keener to buy premium hatchbacks or small SUVs.

The Alto is still and will be a hugely popular car but with changing tastes, buyers are moving to the pricier Wagon R or the sportier Swift/Baleno. Due to changing buyer demands and a want for more features, car buyers think that it is better to spend more than an entry-level car.

In that sense, Maruti is keen to change the Alto brand and make it more premium with the new generation model making its debut on August 18th. The new Alto is based on a new platform and a new engine in a bid to make it more attractive to feature-conscious buyers. It is also expected to be larger in size and closer to the Celerio in terms of design or packaging. 

The engine would be a 1.0l Dualjet motor which will get AMT automatic and 5-speed manual transmission as standard. However, now the new Alto would be sturdier, and with the new platform, promise more safety plus even get features like a touchscreen or electronically adjustable mirrors.

To keep up with the trends, Alto has moved up from being a basic car and aims to compete as an affordable small car rather than focusing on just price. With technology and tightening emission norms, the entry-level small car has to evolve it seems.