Maruti stops Swift production, new version by Sept

The country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India is understood to have stopped production of its best selling premium hatchback Swift as it gears up to launch a new version of the car on a new platform next month.

According to sources, the company stopped the production of the Swift from the end of last month as it will launch the new version in August.

"Swift is one of the bestselling cars of Maruti Suzuki and this is the first time since its launch that the company is upgrading the model. The new Swift will be rolled out from a completely new platform and will be manufactured in Manesar facility," a source close to the development said.

Sources said the new Swift will also be more expensive than the existing version, which is available between Rs 4.09 lakh and Rs 5.56 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The company had first introduced the Swift in May 2005 and the model has witnessed a cumulative sales of over 6 lakh units so far.

The existing Swift is available in both petrol and diesel options, with the diesel model witnessing a surge in demand in recent times after fuel prices were increased.