Many of us were slightly convinced after hearing Honda Jazz's game plan (works on paper, might only be a paper tiger). Weeks, even months prior to the launch, we felt Honda were on a weak wicket if they priced the Jazz above all hatchbacks in India.
Preceding the launch of the Suzuki Ritz, we ran a comparo that got many of you talking, some of you said the Ritz was unnecessary while others felt the Swift had to be replaced with something bigger and better to clearly differentiate it from its new relative.
But you know what? We are all wrong! at least for now.
The Maruti Suzuki Swift which averages around 9,000 units every month in India sold 8,500 units last month.
Impressive.
The Ritz meanwhile, has got of to a flying start with 8,565 in its first month. The company expects it to maintain that number in its second month.
That's what we're waiting to see. Once that figure is out, we'll know if cannibalization has taken place, which we all feel would, if not now, a little while later.
Mr. Shashank Srivastava, Chief General Manger, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd thinks otherwise. He informs us that the Ritz has gelled into the Maruti line-up and none of the other cars including the Estilo and the Wagon R have taken a hit after the entry of this newcomer.
So far so good. Have they got it right? Let's wait for the numbers.
We say - It's been a torrid month for the auto journalists.
