Maruti launches 'Grand Vitara' in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Country's largest car maker Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL) on Thursday launched its sports utility vehicle (SUV) 'Grand Vitara' at a starting price of Rs 13.80 lakh (ex-showroom) in Delhi.

The company has launched two variants of the SUV -- manual transmission and automatic transmission. The automatic transmission variant will be available for Rs 14.8 lakh (ex- showroom price Delhi).

"India is very important and evolving market for Suzuki.We believe that we have to diversify our product line to meet rapidly changing customer demands. The launch of Grand Vitara is a step in this direction," MUL Chairman S Nakanishi told reporters here.

The SUV would be imported in India from Suzuki's plant in Japan. This is the company's third global launch in India after the premium hatchback Swift and Sedan SX-4.

On the issue of rising interest rates, MUL ManagingDirector Jagdish Khattar said: "Interest rate effect has not peaked out and it is still impacting sales."