Maruti Suzuki enters light commercial vehicle segment with Super Carry

Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest carmaker, has diversified into commercial vehicles. Its point of entry is the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sector and the vehicle the Super Carry, which it is to launch by end-August initially in Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Ludhiana at a starting price of Rs 4.01 lakh.

In May this year, Maruti Suzuki had exported the first lot of 100 Super Carrys to South Africa and Tanzania. Besides African markets, the company also plans to export the Super Carry to SAARC nations. 

Outlining the attributes of the Super Carry, RS Kalsi, executive director (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki, said, “The Super Carry has been designed and developed based on detailed research and understanding of customer requirements. It offers the best of both the worlds – power and strength as well as carrying capacity. We are confident the Super Carry will enhance the profitability of our customers. It will be retailed through a dedicated ‘Commercial’ sales channel.”

Maruti Suzuki says it has invested about Rs 300 crore in the Super Carry project. The LCV is powered by a 793cc lightweight and compact 2-cylinder diesel engine, which develops a peak power of 32bhp at 3500rpm and max torque of 75 NM at 2000rpm. Mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, Maruti claims the Super Carry delivers fuel efficiency of 22.07 kilometres per litre and a maximum speed of 80kph. Its payload is 740kg in all terrain.  Other product highlights are a 2110mm wheelbase, a lower loading bay and wider deck that offers ample loading space to carry higher loads in a single trip. The Super Carry is offered with a warranty of 2 years / 72,000 KM (whichever is earlier).

Driver comfort is the USP of the Super Carry. The spacious driver’s cabin gets ergonomically designed features like flat and extended co-passenger seat with thick glass fibre heat shield for better heat insulation and NVH, well-positioned gear lever and ergonomically placed pedals.

On the features front, it gets a mobile charging socket, dual assist grip, odometer, trip meter, fuel meter, and digital clock, besides provision for a stereo. There is also an integrated rain guard, sliding back window glass, and conveniently located spare wheel carrier for ease of replacement.

Improving LCV segment

LCV sales are expected to pick up in 2016-17 due to improved consumption of demand and ease of financing on the back of recovery in urban spending, lower commodity and oil prices, seventh pay commission wage hikes, lower inflation and interest rates that will stimulate demand and a normal monsoon that would drive strong agricultural freight demand during the kharif harvest season. 

In the quarter ended June 2016, the LCV segment picked up after remaining in the red for two years, posting 11.91% overall growth year-on-year. Taking into the account the recent boom in the e-retail business in tier 2 and 3 cities along-with the goodwill of the Maruti badge, the Super Carry is bound to make a statement.

However, not placing all its eggs in one basket in the face of a volatile LCV market, Maruti Suzuki is expected to have a strong export focus for its new LCV. 

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