END OF ROAD FOR MARUTI ZEN?

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It looks like the days of Maruti Zen are over. Its falling sales, which were cannibalized by Maruti's newer models like the Swift, Alto and the Wagon R are making Maruti to consider stopping production of their once best seller B segment car. This may not come as a surprise to most. Being one of the older cars on the road, Zen was getting dated, and the newer models of Maruti cannibalized the sales of Zen. It was spruced up to a new look in end 2003, but that was not sufficient. Maruti failed to address some important complaints that customers had about the car - less road clearance and height. But Zen did have its advantages in the longevity and reliability of its aluminum engine, best fuel economy in its class, a very stable body and a very refined engine.

But all is for good, and Maruti has decided to replace the existing Zen with a completely new car in the same range, with the same brand name. This again indicates the maturity that Indian car market is arriving at. It is common in the evolved markets to launch completely new makeover of a car with same brand name. Maruti is taking a step in the right direction.