Is this the end of Maruti Alto?

The Maruti Alto is one car that needs no introduction in India. It successfully carried forward the baton from an icon like the ‘800’. We have regularly been covering the news of the new Alto. So why a news of its end suddenly? The development comes after Maruti’s chairman stated the effect of ‘six airbag rule’ on a small hatchback like the Alto. So is this actually the end of Maruti Alto? In today’s article, let’s find out. 

Maruti’s airbag concern

Maruti Suzuki’s Chairman RC Bhargava is someone who has never shied away from giving his opinions. He recently expressed his concern regarding the future of small cars in India due to the upcoming six airbag rule. But why a concern? Isn’t it better for safety? According to him, small cars are not designed to accommodate six airbags. So putting these airbags will lead to higher costs and will be a big setback to the sales of such cars. The additional airbags need structural changes which require re-engineering further increasing the cost. According to estimates, these four airbags can lead to a price increase of Rs 60,000. Entry-level hatchbacks have balance their value-for-money quotient smartly and this is where Maruti Suzuki clearly excels. This is the reason why most Maruti hatchbacks in the budget segment are top sellers.

New-generation Maruti Alto

Even with this news, Maruti is working on the new-generation Alto. Maruti will have to work a way around to comply with the new rule. Moreover, with the new-generation car already in the works, they can make changes to the structure in the development phase itself. The problem is expected to be faced with existing products like WagonR, Swift, etc. Only time will tell how Maruti’s strategy shapes to comply with this new rule.

Coming back to the new Alto. The new-generation Alto will get a more rounded design than the current generation. It is expected to get a lot of design updates like a new grille, bumpers, headlamps and taillamps. Will it get better specifications? The new Alto is expected to bring back a 1.0-litre engine with an AMT gearbox. This would make it the cheapest car with an automatic gearbox. So will the new-generation Alto come with six airbags? We certainly think so considering the six airbags law will come into effect from 1st October. 

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