Dzire Races Ahead Of Alto, Becomes Best Selling Car In India; New Wagon R Launch Date Revealed

Two very interesting automobile related news is coming in, which can set the tempo for 2019.

For the first time ever, a sedan from Maruti has beaten a hatchback, and became India’s #1 car. In 2018, Maruti Dzire raced ahead of Alto, and has surprised everyone.

Meanwhile, a new revamped version of Wagon R is coming up in January, 2019, and Maruti enthusiasts are excited, all right because of Android Auto, which will be introduced.

Dzire Beats Alto In India

Since last few years, Maruti’s dependable hatchbacks ruled the market. First it was Maruti 800, and then Maruti Alto, which consistently remained #1 best selling car in India.

But for the period April to November, 2018, Maruti’s sedan: Dzire became more popular and more desirable.

For the first time in India, a sedan has beaten a hatchback!

Between April to November 2018, a total of 1.69 lakh Alto were sold, compared to 1.8 lakh units of Dzire, thereby making it #1 car of India. While Alto’s sale declined by 4%, Dzire’s sale increased by 19%, which turned the tables.

For the same period last year, a total of 1.76 lakh Alto units was sold, compared to 1.53 lakh Dzire models.

Auto-experts are attributing this major change in Indians’ preferences over rising income and improved features of new sedan cars launched by Maruti. There has been no major reform in Alto, and maybe fatigue has set in.

Swift was at #3 position as the best selling car, whereas Maruti’s premium hatchback Baleno was at #4 position. SUV Vitara Brezza has silently climbed to #5 position, up from #7 last year.

Wagon R, also from Maruti, was at #6 position.

Hence, all top 6 best selling cars in India were Maruti’s creations.

At #7 was Hyundai Elite i20, whereas at #8 was Grand i10. Hyundai’s SUV Creta was ranked #9, while Maruti’s compact car Celerio became 10th highest selling car in India.

New Wagon R Coming in January With Android Auto

Meanwhile fresh reports are coming in, which states that Maruti Suzuki is all set to launch a new, improved version of Wagon R in January, 2019.

This will directly compete against Tata Tiago, and the new Hyundai Santro, which was launched recently.

The new Wagon R is expected to be launched on January 23rd.

Some of the expected new features which Wagon R will have:

• Touchscreen infotainment system (for top variant)
• Inbuilt navigation
• Rear parking sensors
• A rear view parking camera
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT gearbox
• CNG option

Expected price of this new model is between Rs 4-5 lakh.

More details are awaited.