Maruti Launches Zen Lxi With Power Steering

Growing competition in the B segment of the Indian car market has prompted Maruti Udyog Ltd, the country's largest car manufacturer, to launch a fresh variant of Zen, its top-selling B segment offering.

The new Zen LXi launched today has electric power steering, front power windows and rear wiper and washer as standard fittings.

It is priced at Rs 3.69 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi) and is a notch higher than the Zen base model which is priced at Rs 3.4 lakh.

The price positioning pits the new variant against competition from Hyundai Motors and Fiat India. Hyundai's Santro LS model, which has been around for sometime and which incorporates features such as power steering, tinted glass, front power steering, central door locking and rear wipers, is priced at Rs 3.75 lakh.

 

The Santro's latest variant LP, which comes only with a power steering as standard fitting, is priced Rs 3.49 lakh.

Hyundai had recently launched the LP to take on the Fiat Palio, which has already sold close to 6,000 units since its launch in September end and has pending orders of around 5,500 units.

The Fiat Palio ELPS (the base version of the car with power steering) variant is priced at Rs 3.73 lakh and comes with a power steering. The Palio ELPS, however, comes fitted with a 1.2 litre petrol engine.

Analysts said Maruti's strategy, it seems, is to keep its market share intact by offering variants in different price segments. The LXi is the seventh Zen variant if one does not count the nine special variants for the physically challenged.

The base model is priced at Rs 3.4 lakh, the VX at Rs 3.78 lakh, the VXi at Rs 3.99 lakh, the AX (automatic transmission) at Rs 4.88 lakh and two diesel variants cost Rs 3.78 lakh and Rs 4 lakh, respectively.

Then there is also a deluxe version of the car available. Besides the multiple price positioning gameplan, Maruti has also decided to offer the LXi only in New Delhi, the National Capital Region, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai.

A company spokesperson said: "Maruti is using the power of technology to enhance safety and provide a smoother and more comfortable ride."

At low speeds, the computer-controlled sensors in the electric power steering provide more power and facilitates parking. At higher speeds, where an ordinary power steering can throw the vehicle off track, Maruti's power steering reduces assist to an adequate level and improves control, the spokesperson added.

Maruti has so far sold 3.8 lakh units of Zen in the domestic market and exported another 1.7 lakh units.