Remember Kizashi, that long supreme sedan from Suzuki? Maruti Suzuki might get that big player back in the field.
In 2011, Kizashi was launched in India in two trims -- manual and CVT transmission -- priced between Rs 16.50 lakh and Rs 17.50 lakh. Since imported from Japan via a completely built unit route, the Kizashi attracted more than 105% of taxes.
No one was ready to expend that kind of money for a Maruti Suzuki in 2011, when the likes of Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were also present in the market.
Clearly, Kizashi was ahead of its time in the Maruti Suzuki portfolio, which only had an SX4 sedan under its belt, besides the mass market hatches.Neither was any premium badge or even a Nexa Experience showroom present then.
Eventually, the car was phased out.
Come 2017. Maruti Suzuki has two years Nexa experience and has been successfully selling Baleno, Ignis and Ciaz as premium cars. Its Vitara Brezza has posted record sales with roughly 6,000 to 10,000 units rolling out of showrooms.
So will Maruti Suzuki bring back the Kizashi in India sometime soon?
“I don’t deny a possibility,” said Kenichi Ayukawa, MD and CEO of Maruti Suzuki India. “We can fill the void left by the Kizashi with a sedan above Ciaz. But as of now, there’s no work in that direction.”
When asked if there were any talks with Suzuki for the relaunch, MSI chairman RC Bhargava said, “Not that I know of.” He consulted with MSI’s engineering team and confirmed, “We have no idea.”
Whether the sedan above Ciaz will be a new Kizashi or another badge, that remains to be seen.
The Kizashi was first unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and launched in India with a 2.4litre petrol engine that could churn out 185 bhp power and 230 Nm torque.
Honda Cars India Ltd is also considering bringing back to India its premium sedan Civic-- which is placed between City and Accord. “We are considering our options. We are getting too many enquiries.”
