Maruti Suzuki-Toyota to launch Kia Carnival rival

Maruti Suzuki, the largest automobile manufacturer in India launched the all-new Ertiga in the market in late 2018. The all-new Ertiga is much bigger than the previous-generation model and has captured the MPV market like none other. Currently, the 7-seater Ertiga is the best-selling MPV in the Indian market. However, the brand is currently working on a new model that will take on the likes of Toyota Innova Crysta.

Earlier this year, Maruti Suzuki launched the XL6, which is based on the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga but is a premium version and is priced accordingly too. However, even the XL6 remains much below the Toyota Innova Crysta that is currently ruling the segment and has been doing so since its launch in the Indian market. According to ETAuto, Maruti Suzuki is currently working on an all-new car that will take on the upcoming Kia Carnival head-on.

The development comes at a time when Kia Motors, which entered the Indian market earlier this year and has become the fifth largest car seller in India with only one car, announced that they will launch the all-new Carnival in India. The Carnival is a premium MPV, which will be positioned above Innova Crysta and the price is expected to start at more than Rs 20 lakh mark. Kia has officially announced that the Carnival MPV will be its second vehicle in the Indian market and it will serve the premium customers.

The all-new MPV is currently being developed with Toyota. Both the Japanese brands, Toyota and Suzuki officially joined hands and has formed a strategic alliance in India and around the world. Both the manufacturers will work on the new C-MPV for the Indian market. The report does not clearly mention a timeline for the launch of the all-new MPV but it is expected to be launched by 2022. The finer details about the car are not known but it will be sold by both the manufacturers.

Toyota has already started selling a rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno in the Indian market as the Glanza. However, the upcoming MPV will offer a distinctive design difference. The architecture and the feature list of both the vehicles will remain similar though.

In India, Maruti Suzuki and Toyota will see a lot of rebadged products in the recent future. After the Glanza, which is already on sale, Toyota will start selling rebranded versions of the Ciaz, Baleno and the Ertiga in the Indian market. The all-new MPV will get powered by a petrol engine and may also get the hybrid powertrain to boost efficiency. More details about the car should come in at a later date. Maruti Suzuki and Toyota are also working in an all-new SUV that will be based on the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.