As posted earlier about the launch of the SX4 Diesel, Maruti Suzuki wont be able to launch the SX4 Diesel this year. Maruti is running into delays in procuring the diesel engine from Fiat. Fiat is already a supplier for Suzuki’s SX4 range in Europe with a 1.9 litre engine. In India, Maruti is keen on a 1.6 litre engine to help keep the price tag relatively lower but currently Fiat has licensed Suzuki to make only the 1.3 litre unit in India, not the 1.6 or 1.9 litre engines.
Maruti was keen on launching the diesel SX4 since the new Honda City came in to the market in October last year. But Fiat does not want a clash with its new Linea that came into India this January. Fiat is expected to first launch a more powerful diesel Linea and that’s why the SX4 gets pushed to next year. This may not be great for Maruti as the SX4 has been steadily losing share with the Honda City now outselling the SX4. In the last six months, Honda sold 15,000 Citys while Maruti sold just 8000 SX4s. Maruti is hoping the diesel SX4 sets the sales chart on fire as the SX4 is cannibalised by the Swift Dzire.