Suzuki has unveiled its first car co-designed with Indian unit Maruti. The launch of the A-Star concept, a preview of the next Alto targeted at Indian and European buyers, was one of a series of announcements by car giants ahead of Delhi’s Auto Expo show starting on Thursday.


“Maruti is ready to play a global role in Suzuki’s global operations,” managing director Shinzo Nakanishi told Agence France Press (AFP).


Suzuki said it would launch one new model in India a year in a bid to keep its stranglehold on the market.


Nakanishi told AFP the Alto, whose production will start in October and be only in India, combines “distinctly European design with Indian cultural cues” such as Indian paisley fabric.


The A-segment one-litre model will be the fifth global car from Suzuki after the Swift, Grand Vitara, SX4 and Splash (which is shared with GM Europe’s Opel/Vauxhall brands who sell it as the Agila).

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Nakanishi said the A-star is the first Suzuki “concept car with which designers from Maruti Suzuki India’s research division have been involved from the beginning.”