Will MSIL introduce the A-Star facelift in India?
As we all know by now, the Suzuki A-Star (branded Alto outside India) is getting a facelift in China. The Alto is manufactured in China by the Chang’an-Suzuki joint venture. The Suzuki Alto facelift is expected to be released by the end of this year in China. With fierce competition in the B1 car segment this might help Suzuki boost their sales.
As you can see from the spy-shots the A-Star facelift will get a new front with smaller head-lights, a new grill, and a new bumper. At the back the changes seem to be minimal with just a new tail light assembly.
The Suzuki Alto is being sold as the A-Star in India. During the month of March 2012 the A-Star sold just 706 units. The Chevrolet Beat and Hyundai i10 outsold the A-Star comprehensively by clocking 5,621 and 10,157 units respectively. Despite receiving new beige interior and a 60:40 split seats a few months ago, the A-Star continues to see a drop in its sales.
With the likes of Hyundai i10 and Chevrolet Beat stealing the limelight from the B1 segment in recent months, it would be good to see the diesel variant of the A-Star in the Indian market, but that may not happen until the next generation A-Star is released in 2013-14. Perhaps Suzuki can improve the efficiency of the K10 engine by adding variable valve timing as they did to the K12 engine present in the new Swift. The Indian market will have to wait a bit longer for a diesel A-Star.
[Source - Auto.Sohu.com]