Suzuki Shows Compact MPV In Delhi, India Rides The Ertiga

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

MPV times in India. At the same Delhi show where GM demonstrated a good-sized MPV concept, market leader Suzuki showed what they call “India’s first compact Multi Purpose Vehicle” a.k.a. the ERTIGA.

While our friends at Motorbeam.com where snapping pictures, Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director and CEO of Maruti Suzuki explained that the MPV will strengthen Suzuki’s position in an increasingly crowded market:

“As India gears to be amongst the largest global automobile markets by 2020, with the foray into UV segment, Maruti Suzuki will strengthen its leadership position in the industry. With Ertiga the Maruti Suzuki will step into the Utility Vehicle segments and effectively create a new Compact MPV segment in India.”

That’s what you want when you are a car-maker: A class-defining car. Not just a class-leading car.

In the Indian automobile industry, the MPV is the fastest growing sub-segment amongst UVs showing a growth of around 15 per cent in the last four years.

The 7 passenger (2x3x2) Ertiga can be had with gasoline and diesel engines. An “all new powerful and light weight K-14 VVT petrol engine” delivers 70kw@6000rpm (95 hp).

A 1.3 liter DDiS Super Turbo diesel engine is said to deliver a peak power of 66kw@4000rpm (88 hp) and a top end torque of 200Nm@1750rpm.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • PrincipalDan PrincipalDan on Jan 07, 2012

    Nice vents in the roof, interesting choice and as long as the AC is strong, I'm sure very welcome in India.

    • MrWhopee MrWhopee on Jan 07, 2012

      These will be sold in Indonesia soon too, Suzuki wants a piece of the best selling car segment here, going against the Avanza/Xenia twins. Those rear AC outlets are mandatory in a hot and humid country like India and Indonesia. Three row vehicles like vans and crossovers won't sell without it. Car seems quite short for a three row vehicle though. Curious how roomy the third row going to be.

  • MarkP MarkP on Jan 08, 2012

    I wonder how long before Suzuki gives up entirely on the US market. Too bad they won't step up and confirm that one way or another.

  • ToolGuy This is the kind of thing you get when you give people faster internet.
  • ToolGuy North America is already the greatest country on the planet, and I have learned to be careful about what I wish for in terms of making changes. I mean, if Greenland wants to buy JDM vehicles, isn't that for the Danes to decide?
  • ToolGuy Once again my home did not catch on fire and my fire extinguisher(s) stayed in the closet, unused. I guess I threw my money away on fire extinguishers.(And by fire extinguishers I mean nuclear missiles.)
  • Carson D The UAW has succeeded in organizing a US VW plant before. There's a reason they don't teach history in the schools any longer. People wouldn't make the same mistakes.
  • B-BodyBuick84 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport of course, a 7 seater, 2.4 turbo-diesel I4 BOF SUV with Super-Select 4WD, centre and rear locking diffs standard of course.
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