Datsun redi-GO, Ciaz reach sales landmarks

The big brand had failed to taste success with its sedans, Maruti SX4 priced between Rs 7.15-Rs 9.43 lakh and Maruti Esteem earlier.

Datsun redi-GO, the entry level car with a starting price of Rs 2.39 lakh, has become a hit, selling 3,000 units within 23 days of its launch on June 7. It is virtually giving its popular rivals such Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, Renault Kwid, Hyundai EON and the like, a run for their money.

On the other hand, market leader Maruti Suzuki, which sells one car out of two cars bought in India, also achieved a landmark, selling one lakh units of its premium mid-size sedan, Ciaz, within 20 months of its launch in October 2014.

The big brand had failed to taste success with its sedans, Maruti SX4 priced between Rs 7.15-Rs 9.43 lakh and Maruti Esteem earlier. “We have received a phenomenal response from across the country,” Arun Malhotra, managing director at Nissan Motor India told Financial Chronicle. “In just 23 days since its launch, close to 3,000 units have been sold,” Malhotra said.

What the Japanese auto major calls it India’s first urban-cross, has definitely made a splash in the entry-level car segment with its styling, performance, safety package, and above all, low cost of ownership. The car delivers superior fuel economy of 25.17 kmpl and the new 0.8L three-cylinder i-SAT engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission helps it accelerate from 0-100 km per hour in 15.9 seconds.

Ground clearance and roominess for the redi-GO is the best in its segment. It comes with a two year/unlimited kilometres standard warranty. It also comes with another segment-first offer, an optional warranty for two or three years/unlimited kilometres with free roadside assistance. This gives redi-GO owners the option of up to 5 years/unlimited kilometres warranty coverage.

As for brand Ciaz, it has become one of the most successful models in the country. “Its design and technologically advanced features have boosted its popularity,” RS Kalsi, executive director, marketing and sales at Maruti Suzuki India told Financial Chronicle.

Ciaz is the first car to offer SmartPlay touch-screen infotainment system and smart hybrid technology in the country. This helps every hybrid buyer a discount of Rs 13,000 under FAME (faster adoption and manufacturing of hybrid and electric vehicles in India to promote ecofriendly vehicles) and benefit of excise duties which have been reduced from 24 per cent to 12 per cent for hybrid cars in the country.

Apart from the distinct style, the hybrid technological innovations have attracted buyers, he said.

“Today, Ciaz is the largest selling sedan in the A3+ segment. It has enabled us to achieve a market share of 40 per cent in the premium sedan segment,” Kalsi said. It primarily competes with Japanese Honda City and Korean Hyundai Verna.

(This story originally appeared on Financial Chronicle)