Zee Business Exclusive: RS Kalsi of Maruti Suzuki on new WagonR, electric vehicles and Budget 2019 - What all he said

Maruti Suzuki's Big New WagonR launched: Randhir Singh Kalsi, who is senior executive director (Marketing & Sales) of Maruti Suzuki India, on Wednesday, unveiled the 3rd generation WagonR. The launch event of the Big New WagonR, as the carmaker calls it, was illuminated with a detailed presentation comprising key insights about the exterior, interior and engineering aspects of the new Maruti Suzuki WagonR. After the launch event, RS Kalsi spoke exclusively to Zee Business Online about the Big New WagonR, the new car's competitors, Common Man-Maruti Suzuki's connection, electric vehicles and most importantly his expectations from Budget 2019.

Explaining the benefits, features, and price of the Maruti Suzuki's Big New WagonR, RS Kalsi said, "Maruti Suzuki has not compromised on any feature in this Big New WagonR. From dual front airbags to auto gear shift to great infotainment system to mileage, this 3rd gen WagonR has it all.  Kalsi adds, "The car's bold and tall boy kind of design, enhanced luggage space, comfort, next-gen infotainment system and advanced K-series engine offering excellent fuel efficiency will surely win the hearts of Indian families." Kalsi hopes that the Big New WagonR will break the sale records of previously launched WagonR cars. 

In addition to 1.0 L engine, the Big New WagonR comes with a 1.2 L engine too. The car's fuel efficiency is 21.5 km/l for 1.2 L variant and 22.5 km/l for 1.0 L variant. The new car has Auto Gear Shift (AGS) technology too.

Talking about the competition that the Big New Wagon may face in the market, Kalsi said, "WagonR was loved by millions of Indian families. So far, more than 2.2 million families chose WagonR as their family car. This time too the price and mileage will be able to rule the given segment. The car is engineered and built on 5th generation HEARTECT platform and people will surely prefer Big New WagonR over other cars in this common man segment."

As per Maruti Suzuki, 5th generation HEARTECT platform increases the safety of occupants through dispersion of crash energy and effective absorption of impact.

According to Maruti Suzuki, the carmaker and its partners have invested nearly Rs 670 crores to develop the new WagonR.

Speaking on the expected electric vehicle boom in the coming years in the auto sector, Kalsi revealed, "As of now, 50 cars have been put under testing mode for electric vehicle segment, but the prices are yet to be worked out on." "Maruti Suzuki will take a timely decision on electric vehicle segment too," Kalsi added.​

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When asked about his expectations for auto industry from Budget 2019, "Since it's an interim one, my only expectation from Budget 2019 is that this one should boost the economy because if the Indian economy as a whole does well, then auto sector will automatically perform better."

The prices of 3rd generation WagonR begin from Rs 4.19 lakhs for 1 L petrol and Rs 4.89 lakhs from 1.2 L petrol respectively.

According to the carmaker, new WagonR gives 21.5 km/l mileage for 1.2 L variant and 22.5 km/l mileage for 1.0 L variant. "It is nearly 10% higher than the outgoing model of WagonR," Maruti Suzuki claims.

This new car comes with next generation  17.78 cm touch infotainment system - SmartPlay Studio. In this infotainment system, in addition to listening to music, one can surf news, get the latest weather updates and also locate eateries around the current location.

Dual front airbags in Big New Maruti WagonR

WagonR made its debut in 1999 and has sold 2.2 million units so far. "WagonR continues to feature among the top 5 best-selling cars in India for nearly two decades," Maruti Suzuki says.