When we think of Maruti Suzuki we often think of cars that are competitively priced and give good mileage. Maruti Suzuki cars offer value for money and are fuel efficient. a formula that has worked very well in India.
The company seems to be adding another variable to the equation – safety.
Maruti Suzuki has announced that its Swift and DZire models will have the Dual Airbags and Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) safety features available across all variants. Yes, that includes the base model too.
By offering driver and co-driver airbags and anti-lock braking system (ABS) across all variants of Swift and DZire, we want to further strengthen their popularity among customers.R S Kalsi, Executive Director, Marketing & Sales, MSIL
The decision comes at a time when safety is fast becoming a necessity for car-buyers across the country. In fact. some competing car manufactures already offer these features; the Volkswagen Polo already offers airbags as standard across all variants, while the Ford Figo Aspire and the Honda Amaze also have it as an option.
ABS prevents the tyres from locking and skidding, reducing the stopping distance of the car; if and when you need to stop abruptly, you will be able to do so in a shorter distance.
The airbags on the other hand deploy once the sensors on the front of the car detect collision. They usually deploy in a fraction of a second and can save the driver from injuries.
The Maruti Suzuki Swift and DZire have helped the company strengthen its presence in the country.
In 2014-15, Swift and DZire maintained an average sale of over 17,000 units each per month, according to Maruti Suzuki India Limited.
The Swift will be available with the optional package priced between Rs 4.9 lakh and Rs 6.43 lakh.
The Dzire will be priced between Rs 5.4 lakh and Rs 7.06 lakh with the safety package included (all prices are ex-showroom Delhi).
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)