Not too long ago, Maruti Suzuki had announced their future plans with diesel engines considering the stringent BS6 norms. The brand was likely to eliminate diesel vehicles from its profile until now.
Considering the sales figures that Maruti-Suzuki pulls just in the diesel section, it would lose one of the major contributing markets overall and that would also leave the gates unguarded to its rivals. However, the company will stop selling diesel cars before the deadline of 1st April 2020, but here’s the plot twist; Maruti Suzuki plans it to be a temporary leave.
The manufacturer has already started developing a 1.5-litre diesel engine to meet the BS6 norms and further compete with Mahindra and Mahindra, Tata Motors and Hyundai. Matter of fact, the rivals themselves have invested a tone of capital in R&D for mid-size diesel vehicles.
The new engine will power several cars from the Maruti Suzuki line up, likes of Ciaz, Ertiga, and the S Cross, probably the Vitara Brezza as well. The smaller sedans and the hatchbacks, namely the Swift, Baleno, Dzire etc. will be offered with a CNG or hybrid engine as optional along with petrol, all of this to compensate for the diesel market void.
For more than decades, Suzuki has been backed up by Fiat with their 1.3-litre multijet diesel engine to feed its mass demand in the diesel segment. Now that Fiat isn’t likely to show any progress in the up-gradation to emission standards, Maruti Suzuki has no option, but develop its 1.5-litre diesel mill.
With the Volkswagen Group and Renault-Nissan alliance, Maruti Suzuki rivals have already made their move towards a 1.5-litre diesel motor to meet the BS6 norms. Alongside their re-entry in the diesel segment, Maruti Suzuki will also consider trading the engines with Toyota to meet their figures and also lower the cost.
Reports from FY 2018-2019 indicate that the brand has sold more than 500,000 diesel vehicles and for FY 2019, the sales slumped down to 250,000-300,000. But Maruti is positive enough that the entry of 1.5-litre diesel engine will boost the sales back to the original mark but in partnership with Toyota.
