Production of the Maruti Suzuki SX4 sedan in India has ended to make way for the new Ciaz, sources said.
They told The Financial Express that production of the SX4, which was introduced in India in 2007, stopped in April.
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Trial production of the Ciaz has started at the automaker’s Manesar facility with sales expected to begin during the July-September 2014 quarter. The new car is longer than the SX4 and expected to have more premium features.
Maruti Suzuki declined to comment.
The Ciaz is expected to come with two engines – the K-Series, 1.4-litre petrol engine, currently used in the Ertiga, and a 90hp version of a Fiat-sourced 1.3L DDiS diesel engine, according to The Financial Express. The car may get a more powerful 1.6-litre diesel in future to better rival other players in the segment.
The decision to stop SX4 production followed a 40% decline in the car’s sales to 4,029 units in fiscal year 2014. Volumes had declined 63% to 6,707 units in fiscal 2013.
