Suzuki Maruti Alto K10 is world’s No. 1 small car

Suzuki Maruti Alto became the biggest selling small car in the world in 2010, overtaking the likes of Volkswagen Golf in Germany and both the VW Golf and the Fiat Uno in Brazil.  

Equipped with the new K10 high performance engine and a stylish new design, Suzuki Maruti Alto raced ahead in worldwide sales recording a 25% increase to become the world’s highest-selling small car, reported a release filed in India on 8 January this year.

Writing to the Hindustan Times, Sumant Banerji reported from New Delhi that overall sales worldwide of the popular Alto swelled to 300,000 units.

The first time ever that a car made in India has become a global bestseller in any segment, the Alto, launched in September 2000, was a runaway success and is the largest selling car in India since 2006.

Suzuki Maruti agents Associated Motorways Ltd. said in Sri Lanka too, sales of the model has seen a tremendous surge, with avid Sri Lankan customers enthusiastically opting for the nippy best seller now upgraded with a new body style and a peppy K 10 engine.

“Helped by tax relief granted to local consumers in June 2010, Suzuki Maruti cruised to lead clocking in record performances in the last quarter to become, once again, Sri Lanka’s No.1 brand new motor Brand,” AMW added.

India Maruti raises prices of  most car models

NEW DELHI (Reuters): Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest carmaker, has increased prices by up to 2.4 percent across all but one model from Jan. 17, a company official said on Friday.

Price increases were between 1,000-10,000 rupees ($22-$220), the official said, adding that there was no increase in the price of their Alto K10 variant. Maruti cars are priced between $4,400 and $18,400. Automakers are raising prices to counter increasing input costs, mainly those of steel and rubber. Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors, maker of the world’s cheapest car, said this month they would raise prices. Auto sales in India grew a record 31 percent in 2010 driven by a burgeoning middle class in Asia’s third-largest economy, but pace of growth is expected to slow this year.