Thursday, August 23, 2012

Maruti introduces limited edition WagonR Pro



The WagonR Pro is just another marketing gimmick by MSIL. Pay Rs. 7,000 more and buy the top of the line VXi

Maruti Suzuki has introduced yet another limited edition car in the form of the ‘WagonR Pro’. This limited edition WagonR is essentially a spruced up Wagon R LXi that gets a bunch of (13 to be precise) accessories.

All the 13 accessories put together are worth Rs. 30,000. It would be worth mentioning at this point that Maruti Suzuki is offering a 32 inch Sony Bravia LCD television free with the WagonR. Customers can either opt for the TV or take a cash discount on the car.

Maruti Suzuki has priced the WagonR Pro limited edition at Rs. 4,50,000 (on-road New Delhi) while the WagonR LXi is priced at Rs. 4,20,990 (on-road New Delhi).  That’s a difference of Rs. 29,010, which for a few frills is steep.

And if you consider that the better equipped WagonR VXi has a price tag of Rs. 4,50,000 (on-road New Delhi), the VXi happens to be better value for money.

The list of accessories with the WagonR Pro include

  1. Double din stereo with USB connectivity                                       Rs. 9,490    
  2. Floor mats                                                                                    Rs.    400
  3. Rear spoiler                                                                                  Rs. 2,900
  4. Car perfume                                                                                 Rs.    180
  5. Bumper protection rubber strips                                                    Rs.    490
  6. Wheel covers                                                                               Rs.  1,180
  7. Side moulding                                                                               Rs.  1,200
  8. 4 Speakers                                                                                   Rs. 1,200
  9. Body graphics                                                                              Rs. 2,750
  10. Seat covers                                                                                  Rs. 3,950
  11. Security system                                                                            Rs. 4,925
  12. Steering wheel cover                                                                    Rs. 250
  13. Spoiler paint                                                                                Rs. 1,085

However, once the discounts on offer on the different variants are taken into consideration the situation becomes entirely different.

The limited edition WagonR Pro, includes a cash discount of Rs. 11,000 and if one opts out of the TV deal, another cash discount of Rs. 22,000 that brings the price down to Rs. 4,17,000 (on-road New Delhi).

The WagonR LXi currently has a cash discount of Rs. 11,000, a corporate discount of Rs. 5,000, again if you opt out of the TV deal, another discount of Rs. 30,990 bringing down its price to Rs. 3,74,000 (on-road New Delhi).

Considering the maximum discount available on both cars, the limited Edition WagonR Pro is Rs. 43,000 more expensive than the LXi. The major differences between the WagonR Pro and WagonR LXi being the absence of a stereo system and a security system in the LXi.   

The WagonR VXi has a cash discount of Rs. 3,000 and if you choose not to take the free television, another discount of Rs. 22,000 which pegs its price at Rs. 4,25,000 (on-road New Delhi).

The WagonR Pro is just another marketing gimmick by Maruti in an effort to boost sales of the WagonR that has taken a beating due to soaring petrol prices. While the free 32 inch TV definitely counts, Maruti Suzuki’s clever discount strategy places the limited edition WagonR Pro in the middle of the LXi and VXi variants making it an attractive proposition for buyers. Or is it?

I’d say, if you want a WagonR, just pay Rs. 7,000 more and get the VXi.

For that money you will get fog lamps, rear power windows, rear defogger and wash wipe. The only place you lose out on is USB connectivity for the stereo, instead you have to make do with an AUX port.

You can also get the side stickers from Maruti for Rs. 2,750. 




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