Maruti Suzuki hikes prices across range in India
Maruti Suzuki has raised prices across its models in India. The price hike is up to Rs 20,000 depending on models and is applicable right now. This is the company's third price hike this year after the customary first one in January where it was joined by several other manufacturers  and then the second one after the Union Budget.
The usual factors like foreign exchange and rising inputs costs are to be blamed for this price hike. However Maruti also says that the demand for certain models based on segments and certain objectives of the company have also contributed to the price hike. Certain Maruti cars like the Vitara Brezza and the Baleno have seen an increase in demand with waiting periods stretching up to eight months in certain cities. The waiting periods are expected to reduce significantly once the new plant in Gujarat becomes fully operational early next year. The Baleno has been Maruti's top selling car apart from the Alto and Dzire. Both the Maruti Baleno and the Vitara Brezza have contributed massively to the sales numbers, enabling the car maker to register an almost 14 per cent increase from last year.
Maruti is also gearing up to launch the new Ignis as well as Baleno RS this festive season. The Maruti Ignis is a compact SUV which will be sold through the Nexa range of dealerships and so will the Baleno RS. The former will debut Maruti's first turbo petrol engine which will make 110PS and should take the fight to the Volkswagen Polo TSI, Fiat Abarth Punto and the Ford Figo 1.5l petrol.