There are several big names which have decided to opt-out of the fifteenth edition of the Auto Expo. Because of their absence, those carmakers who have chosen to attend will be heading in hot. India’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, is one of them. The company has confirmed that it will showcase a total of seventeen vehicles, including Celerio, S-Presso, XL6, Ertiga, Dzire, Ciaz S, Baleno and Swift Hybrid (Japan model).
The centrepiece will be the Concept Futuro-e. The show vehicle, which has a coupe-style silhouette and an all-electric heart, will portray a new design language for future Maruti Suzuki utility vehicles. Apart from that, the Indo-Japanese firm will utilise the Auto Expo 2020 platform to introduce the mid-life updates of two models – the Vitara Brezza and the Ignis. Both, as you might have guessed, will have BS6-compliant, petrol-powered engines. Additionally, both will flaunt an array of cosmetic and technology updates inside and outside the cabin. What about the S-Cross? Well, that should get relevant upgrades to meet the stricter emission norms before March 31, 2020. That, like the Vitara Brezza, will ditch diesel and march on as a petrol-only model.
Maruti Suzuki says that its theme for this year’s Auto Expo is ‘Mission Green Million’. It will utilise the pavilion’s 4,000 sq. m. area to introduce new “greener and customer-friendly technologies”. The carmaker aims to not only accelerate the process of bringing green and sustainable mobility solutions to India but also stay ahead of the pack in years to come. The show area will also house a Maruti Suzuki Studio for the first time. That, as per the company, will help “create a real-time digital connect with the millions of viewers online”.
As far as entering the EV (Electric Vehicle) space is concerned, Maruti Suzuki should do that sometime next year. It is currently in the process of erecting an EV battery production facility close to its vehicle manufacturing plant in Gujarat.