Maruti Suzuki Ignis Launch Postponed; Vitara Brezza The Culprit?

According to a report in ET Auto, Maruti Suzuki has postponed the launch of the Ignis hatchback in India by three to six months to help clear a backlog of about one lakh bookings for the Vitara Brezza SUV and the Baleno.

The Ignis is now expected to launch in the first half of 2017.

One of the people in the know about the delay said, "Any new product, before launching, goes through a series of trial production. With waiting (Vitara Brezza and Baleno) customers, it was decided that instead of blocking capacity ahead of the festive season towards trial of Ignis, the company would rather produce more of the in-demand products and reduce their waiting period."

To help cut down the waiting period of the Brezza and the Baleno, Maruti Suzuki will also defer the start of the production of the Ignis to November, two months after it was originally supposed to enter production.

The Ignis crossover was unveiled in at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2015 before making its Indian debut at the 2016 Auto Expo in February.

The Ignis will use the same engines found in the current Swift. The 1.2-litre petrol engine produces 83bhp and 115Nm of torque and returns a claimed mileage of 20.4km/l. The 1.3-litre diesel produces 74bhp and 180Nm of torque and returns a claimed mileage of 25.2km/l.

Source - ET Auto