Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSI) has announced its financial results for the period April-December 2008, during which the company registered a total income from operations (net of excise) of Rs 144,196.2 million, a growth of 7.35% over the year-ago period. Net profit after tax stood at Rs 9,755.4 million, down 31.93% over April-December 2007.

Between October-December 2008, Maruti registered a total income from operations (net of excise) of Rs 46,258.1 million, a decline of of 2.81% compared to the year-ago period. Net profit during the quarter stood at Rs 2,135.7 million, down 54.27% October-December 2007.

The reduction in net profit was mainly due to lower volumes, a rise in material costs and adverse impact of currency changes in the fiscal...

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSI) has announced a price hike for some of its cars. Prices have been increased by Rs 10,000 for the A-Star, Rs 5,000-6,000 for the petrol Swift (depending on the variant), Rs 6,000 for the diesel Swift, Rs 7,000 for the Swift DZire and Rs 9,000 for the SX4. Prices of Maruti 800, Omni, Alto, Wagon R, Zen Estilo, Gypsy, Versa and Grand Vitara remain unchanged.

According to Maruti, the price increase, which is effective with immediate effect, has been necessitated due to the increase in input costs and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Other carmakers like Hyundai, Ford and Honda are also expected to announce price hikes shortly.

Maruti cars rank highest in the 2008 India APEAL study…

Four Maruti Suzuki cars, as well as cars from Honda and Toyota, each rank highest in their respective segments in new-vehicle design and performance in India, according to the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2008 India Automotive Performance Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study released today.

Now in its tenth year, the APEAL study provides an analysis of what excites and delights owners about their new vehicle’s performance and design during the initial two to six months of ownership...

Maruti Suzuki India has reported a 27.4% decline in car sales during November 2008, at 47,103 units, down from 64,885 units sold in November last year. Maruti’s total vehicle sales during the month were down by 24.4%, at 52,711 units, against 69,699 units in November 2007.

Sales of the Maruti Alto, Zen Estilo, Wagon R, Swift and A-Star were down 26.6%, at 34,976 units, compared to 47,641 units sold in November last year. However, sales of the SX4 and DZire went up by 40.3%, at 5,975 units, compared to 4,260 units last year.

The company’s domestic sales were down by 26.9%, at 47,704 units, compared to 65,216 units in the corresponding month last year. On the other hand, Maruti’s exports during the month grew by 11.7%, 5,007 units, compared to 4,483 units in the year-ago period...

The all-new Suzuki Kizashi is expected to hit the Indian market by end-2009, and will take on cars like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis

From Autoblog, these are the first line drawings of the upcoming Suzuki Kizashi mid-size sedan, which is coming to India by end-2009, to take on cars like the Toyota Altis and Honda Civic.

In India, the Maruti Suzuki brand is associated with smaller cars, and bigger cars from the MS stable – like the Baleno sedan and Grand Vitara SUV – have not done too well. However, the SX4 seems to have changed things for the better for the company, and the Kizashi sedan may take Maruti Suzuki’s ‘image’ another notch higher.

While the Kizashi will be available with a V6 engine and even 4WD in some markets, the India-spec Kizashi will definitel...