Euro-IV norms might sink Maruti 800

Maruti 800, the bread-and-butter model from the Maruti stables, is seeing an end to its reign. Feared to soon vanish into oblivion, the pace of the disappearance might be speeded up due to its failure to adhere to the stringent Euro-IV emission norms. All car manufacturers are expected to adhere to the norms from year 2010.

Extinction stares cold on the face of the model that has been driving India’s common man for the past so many years. Worse still, is the fact that Maruti would not be in a position to go for the upgrade and build a Euro-IV compliant version of the model. Reportedly, the company seems to have acknowledged the infeasibility of launching an Euro-IV compliant version of M800 by 2010. The reasons being said are the impracticalities like the engine’s alignment and the like.

India, even now swears by the Maruti 800 name, crediting it with the tag of  ‘the smallest car in production’.  It is expected that Maruti might go in for a price cut of the Alto model and then phase out India’s first people’s small car. Meanwhile, the company seems to be not ready to give up yet. Company officials believe that the M800is the only entry-level car plying on India’s roads and that status is hard to be ignored.

With the arrival of the Maruti Alto, the Maruti 800 has also been seeing fall in sales. The company, meanwhile , claims that the model still sells 70,000 units annually. Not ready to be beaten by the new norms, the company is also weighing options on making the model stay afloat and survive the battle of meeting Euro IV norms in India. Officials feel that it can even be a competitor to the Tata Nano if a small price reduction is effected.

Significantly, the car is still a hit with customers in ountries where the car is exported to. South East Asian nations such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, South American markets such as Chile and the like still swears by the model. If an upgrade is possible, the model has all in it to remain afloat, it is felt.