With the Automobile market conquered by 3 Japanese players, hardly any two available vehicles contends with each other in a price bracket or segment.On the other hand after the new Auto Policy 2016-21 was announced, the Big 3 of our market (Suzuki, Toyota and Honda) were swift to moreover updating their lineup or bring about upgrading in their existing offerings
Immobilizer was made available with Mehran, Corolla and City (optional). The 17 year old Cultus was switched with the Celerio hatchback, that too with Airbags & ABS (VXL). Pak Suzuki also put in the imported Vitara SUV and Ciaz sedan while Toyota Indus Motors modernized their Fortuner and Hilux range, newly updated the Corolla with an improved facelift. Although Honda Atlas has been dragging the 5th gen City since ages, they had launched the 10th gen Civic in 2016 and BR-V 7 seater introduced in our market earlier this year.
Even though 7 seaters were accessible in our market before but were on no account so admired among buyers until the BR-V came into the scene. The latest Honda’s offering is doing pretty fine in terms of sales in its segment and with an average monthly sales of over 700 units a month, has a waiting period of up to 5 months should you opt to book the vehicle today. The other three 7 seaters in our market, the Toyota Avanza, FAW Sirius and the Suzuki APV were on no account be able to see this victory regardless of available for quite some time now.
The APV is the oldest available alternative amongst the segment launched way back in 2006. Sold as an import, the APV looks outdated with its typical van-like boxy design, predominantly in a time when modern MPVs are influenced with SUV inspired styling. Its sales aren’t impressive either and Pak Suzuki is least concerned to think about updating or simply replacing the APV with a better choice.
Now in a time when the BR-V is getting notice of those who travel along with 7 people, Pak Suzuki can sure think about replacing the APV with a much better Ertiga MPV which has got all the potential to take on the Honda BR-V.
Based on the Suzuki Swift platform, the Ertiga was first initiated in India and Indonesia in 2012, followed by Philippines, Malaysia and South Africa in 2014. The Ertiga contends with the likes of Toyota Innova, Toyota Avanza, Honda Mobilio, Honda, BR-V, Daihatsu Xenia, Renault Lodgy and Nissan Grand Livina in competition driven markets.
The name Ertiga is said be a version of R-Tiga where “Tiga” means “three” in Indonesian, the “R” stands for Rows. Therefore, “Ertiga” is derived from “R3” which in turn means “(Swift with) Three Rows.”
There are a lot of causes why the Ertiga can be given preference over the aging APV, or the Honda BR-V in our market, for example:
Impressive Looks:
The Ertiga is an attractive 7 seater, contrasting the APV which is a usual van in appearance; the Ertiga has much better visual appearance and can compete well against the BR-V as it does in other Asian markets.
Fuel Efficient Engine:
The APV carries an old G15A engine with a claimed fuel economy of 12km per liter. Conversely the Ertiga is powered by a modern K14B engine with fuel economy figures of 17 km per liter for automatic and 17.5 km per liter for manual variants.
Manual & Automatic Transmission
The Honda BR-V comes with CVT as standard transmission in Pakistan, nevertheless, internationally the Ertiga comes with both manual and automatic transmission alternatives, which may give an edge to Ertiga should Pak Suzuki considers launching one here.
Price
In India the Ertiga is priced from INR 6.5 lac for the base LXi variant which converts into PKR 10.6 lac. While the top-of-the-line ZXi+ costs INR 8.8 lac which translates into PKR 14.3 lac. Although we don’t expect Pak Suzuki to launch the Ertiga at this price, but definitely it’s easily possible for them to place it well below the rival BR-V.
Ertiga Facelift Spy shots
The Ertiga facelift is also imminent, the design now looks more suggestive of the new 4th generation Swift. The facelift will launch in Indonesia in early 2018.
