Maruti slashes S-Cross price by over Rs 2 lakh

The company has sold 17,000 units of S-Cross in the last six months

Maruti Suzuki India has cut the price of its premium crossover S-Cross by over Rs 2 lakh after failing to gain traction in the market.

The company had introduced the S-Cross in two options of 1.6 litre and 1.3 litre engines last year coinciding with the launch of its premium retail outlet chain Nexa. However, sales of the vehicle were hindered by pricing issues.

"Yes, we have undertaken a price correction in prices of 1.6 litre and since then sales have picked up," Maruti Suzuki India Executive Director (Marketing and Sales) R S Kalsi told reporters here.

However, as per the latest price list on the company's website, the slashing of price is also applicable on the 1.3 litre variant.

The cut in the price of 1.6 litre variant is Rs 2,05,000 for all the three trims, while that of 1.3 litre variant ranges from Rs 40,000 to Rs 66,000.

When the S-Cross was launched, the 1.6 litre option was priced at Rs 11.99 lakh, Rs 12.99 lakh and Rs 13.74 lakh for the base, mid and top-end trims. It is now available at Rs 9.94 lakh, Rs 10.94 lakh and Rs 11.69 lakh respectively.

Similarly, the 1.3 litre variant was launched at Rs 8.34 lakh, Rs 9.15 lakh, Rs 9.99 lakh and Rs 10.75 lakh for the four trims. These are now priced at Rs 7.79 lakh, Rs 8.49 lakh, Rs 9.59 lakh and Rs 10.29 lakh respective (all prices ex-showroom Delhi).

The company has sold 17,000 units of S-Cross in the six months.

"Out of these 15,000 units are from the 1.3 litre variant and the rest from the 1.6 litre variant," Maruti Suzuki India Senior Vice President (Marketing & Sales), Nexa Channel, Partho Banerjee said.

In contrast, Baleno which was launched almost three months later and sold from the same Nexa network has clocked sales of 28,000 units.

Despite the slow pick in sales, Banerjee said the S-Cross would continue to lead in the brand building of the Nexa chain.

"It is just the start of evolution of crossovers in the country. Gradually the customers will find value in it and start accepting the crossovers," Banerjee said.

Last week the company had announced increase in prices of different models by up to Rs 12,000.