Opinion - Maruti Suzuki May Do An S-Cross With The Nexa Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Price Hike:

Take a look at the price comparison of Ignis between December 2022 and March 2023:

Once I spotted this a few weeks ago, I started wondering what they were cooking? Here, I’ll lay out my thoughts and you can pitch in with your opinions.

Also Read: Nexa Fronx Petrol Variants Explained - Which One To Book?

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Maruti Suzuki SUV Portfolio - Almost Complete

First of all, Maruti Suzuki have now almost completed their SUV/crossover portfolio. After the Fronx, the only thing missing in their lineup is a big, 3-row SUV to counter the Safari, XUV700 and Scorpio N. We can expect them to deliver this with a rebadged version of the Toyota Innova Hycross.

The S-Presso, Ignis, Fronx, Brezza, Grand Vitara and Maruti Suzuki’s version of the Hycross will cover Maruti Suzuki from Rs. 5.0 lakh to Rs. 30.0 lakh with something for everyone. But for now, all eyes are on the Fronx. So how does increasing the prices of the Ignis play into the Fronx’ picture today?

Two Plans Of Action

I believe, there are one of 2 paths Maruti Suzuki are preparing to take:

1. Price the Ignis so high that the Fronx starts to look like a good deal
2. Price the Ignis high enough to allow Fronx to carry an even exorbitant price

If you read through my price estimation of the Maruti Nexa Fronx from January, then you’ll remember that I was optimistic about their understanding of the economy and macro market dynamics at play.  So, I was obviously expecting them to launch the Fronx with an attractive price tag across all variants, especially with the turbo petrol ones.

However, with the 2 back-to-back price revisions for the Ignis, I started to doubt my read on the situation and adjusted the expected prices of the Fronx accordingly. While I still think that the base variant may start around the Rs. 7.0 lakh mark, the top end could stretch up to Rs. 10.50 lakh instead of my previous expectation of Rs. 9.90 lakh for the Alpha variant with the turbo petrol-manual powertrain. Thus, with the automatic, it could go up to Rs. 12.0 lakh (ex-showroom).

You can read my price expectations at the following link:

Also Read: Latest Maruti Suzuki Fronx SUV Expected Price Calculation - With Logic

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Punch In The Gut?

The Tata Punch has created a new sub-segment within the B2 SUV space, which is already a sub-segment of small SUVs. The success of the Punch made everybody take notice as the Punch became another money minting machine running on autopilot.

Also Read: Feb 2023 Tata Car Sales Analysis - YoY, MoM Change, 6-Month Trend

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Among SUVs, Tata now hold the 2nd and 3rd spot with their Nexon and Punch. This is another reason I thought Maruti Suzuki would attempt to hit Tata where it hurts and snatch some territory away from the Punch. However, the recent news from Maruti Suzuki in a securities and exchange filing tells us that they’re not done with the price hikes yet. With one more around the corner, we should prepare for a price shock from the Fronx.

If Maruti Suzuki launch the Fronx with an exorbitant price tag, then I think Tata have nothing to worry about from the Fronx. Their Punch will leave a lasting pain for other carmakers to feel in years to come. After all, it’s not everyday you end up making a car that can keep running in 5-figure monthly production with minimal marketing expenditure.

Maruti Suzuki, of all carmakers, know it best as they not only have several golden geese in their portfolio, but they also have experience with some flops. The S-Cross is one of them. And it appears to me that the Fronx may walk the same path to its own demise. I may be right about this, but I’d love to be wrong this time.

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