Suzuki Vitara
Face of new Suzuki VitaraSuzuki

Maruti Suzuki's first compact SUV, the Vitara Brezza has become one of the most successful vehicles in India in a short span of time. Launched in March this year, the Vitara Brezza has reached over 1 lakh bookings so far. Monthly sales of the compact SUV averages at 10,000 units and it is the best selling SUV in the country at present. Buoyed by the positive response, Maruti Suzuki is reportedly planning to add more SUVs in its India line-up.

"Originally, entry cars had big volumes, but now people expect little more premium cars. We have to prepare and respond to all these expectations," Kenichi Ayukawa, MD and CEO of Maruti Suzuki told the Times of India. "The Indian customer is upgrading and expecting more premium vehicles."

From Ayukawa's views, it is evident that Maruti Suzuki will increase its portfolio of bigger cars and SUVs, as it tries to expand beyond its traditional stronghold of small cars. There is no clear picture about the models that will be launched in Maruti Suzuki's India SUV range.

Many reports in the past months suggested that Maruti Suzuki is actively considering the launch of the new Vitara in India. The fourth generation of the Suzuki Vitara debuted last year and Indian arm of Suzuki may launch this new generation to strengthen its SUV portfolio.

The other possibility is Maruti Suzuki developing a new SUV just like the Vitara Brezza. The compact SUV has been conceptualized, designed and developed in India using a Suzuki global platform and engine.

C. V. Raman, Executive Director R&D, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) is the chief engineer who leads the Vitara Brezza project. With 98 percent localisation, Maruti Suzuki has priced the product very competitively. A new premium SUV from C.V. Raman and team cannot be written off.