Maruti Suzuki acquires stake in homegrown AI startup Amlgo Labs
Maruti Suzuki India on Saturday announced it has invested in Amlgo Labs Private Limited, an Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI-ML)-led startup.
Maruti Suzuki launched the second-generation Ertiga back in November 2018 in four different variants – L, V, Z and Z+. At the time, it was priced between Rs 7.44 lakh and Rs 10.90 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi). However, it now looks like Maruti is planning to discontinue the base-spec LDi (diesel only) variant of the MPV.
A leaked image that claims to be an email sent by the carmaker to its dealerships reveals that the 2018 Ertiga LDi will be discontinued on 1 April 2019. The email has also directed Maruti dealers to stop accepting bookings for base-spec Ertiga diesel starting 1 March 2019.
The discontinuation of LDi variant is quite surprising move considering the fact that the carmaker has no plans to offer the new 1.5-litre diesel engine, which is set to be introduced soon, in the base L variant.
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The 1.3-litre Fiat-sourced diesel engine on the Ertiga makes 90PS of power and 200Nm of peak torque and comes mated to a 5-speed MT. The 1.5-litre diesel engine, on the other hand, will make 95.1PS of power and 225Nm of peak torque. It is likely to be mated to 6-speed MT.
With the LDi variant set to be discontinued soon, the VDi variant will take over the role of being the most affordable diesel variant of the Ertiga. It is priced at Rs 9.56 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), which is a premium of Rs 72,000 over the LDi. The Ertiga VDi is only Rs 43,000 more affordable than the base diesel variant of the Mahindra Marazzo, prices for which start at Rs 9.99 lakh (all prices, ex showroom Delhi).
(Source: www.cardekho.com)
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