To make its products stand out of the crowd, Maruti Suzuki India Limited will add a premium infotainment system from Harman Kardon to its cars. The first car to get this could be the upcoming compact crossover Ignis, which is expected to launch this year.
According to multiple reports, the carmaker is aiming to lure more premium segment buyers with features like new audio systems, given a successful pilot with the Ignis. Though there is no official confirmation from the carmaker yet, expect the new system to come with coloured displays and navigation along with the standard entertainment and connectivity options.
The Harman Kardon systems though, would elude the likes of the Alto as Maruti would want to avoid any inflation in the price-sensitive small-car portfolio that has already suffered some beating at the hands of the Renault Kwid of late. As for sedans and sub-compact SUVs, either the higher variants of the cars or the future generations of these models could be equipped with the new Harman Kardon systems.
Not too long ago, Maruti had made its intentions clear about shifting its focus to more premium products, following the success of the Vitara Brezza and the Baleno. And the association with Harman Kardon looks like a step in the same direction.
The America-based manufacturer of premium audio systems for automotive and home applications, Harman Kardon already owns brands like Bang & Olufsen and also supplies systems to luxury carmakers like BMW, Audi and Volvo.
It is intent on penetrating in developing markets like India and has even developed a range of low-cost products pertaining to the demands in these regions. In fact, Tata Motors has fitted the Zest and the Bolt with Harman Kardon systems in the past, with the Ignis looking set to fall in line.
Source: CarDekho.com
