Nexa outlets deal in the premium range of Maruti-Suzuki cars and the exercise to separate the budget and premium portfolios have worked in favour of the Indian car giant. As the reach of Nexa dealerships has spread over time, Maruti has succeeded in driving the numbers befitting the brand. In its bid to expand the Nexa portfolio, Maruti will add the upcoming Ignis compact crossover, the sporty Baleno RS and the facelift of the Ciaz sedan.
The Ignis is a sub-four metre compact crossover which will sit below the Vitara Brezza and compete with the Mahindra KUV100. It will seat five and is expected to be priced around the Swift. The Baleno RS will be an extension of the existing Baleno range at Nexa and will feature the new three cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that develops over 100bhp of power. The Baleno RS will compete with the Volkswagen Polo GT TSI, the Abarth Punto and the Ford Figo 1.5-litre DCT amongst performance hatchbacks.
The Ciaz sedan is sold from the Maruti Suzuki dealerships as of now. Maruti would want to upgrade it to Nexa to position it as a premium offering against the likes of the Honda City and the upcoming Hyundai Verna in the C-segment. This move might attract opposition internally from the dealers, but will help Maruti in the long run. The move will coincide with the launch of the Ciaz facelift which is expected in 2017.
Under the Nexa brand, we expect Maruti Suzuki to offer an SUV above the S-Cross which should compete with the Hyundai Creta and the Renault Duster. With no news of any such car as yet, we expect that the new SUV might make its debut at the 2018 Auto Expo.
