After Estilo, Maruti Suzuki to discontinue A-Star hatchback?

Sales of the Maruti Suzuki A-Star, globally known as the Suzuki Alto/Celerio/Nissan Pixo, never took off in the Indian car market. The hatchback (also known as Suzuki Alto globally), which is a significant step-up from the Alto, was priced close to the WagonR, a move that ensured that the A-Star never got enough traction here. With a replacement for the A-Star looming large in the form of the YL7 hatchback, touted to be the next-gen 2014 Suzuki Alto, the stage seems set for Maruti Suzuki to discontinue the current-gen A-Star, just as it did with the Estilo hatchback. 

The next-gen 2014 Alto, code-named the YL7, is likely to be launched at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo. The YL7 is said to address the issues that the current A-Star faces, in the form of a cramped rear seat and the general lack of spaciousness vis-a-vis cars such as the Hyundai Santro Xing and the Maruti WagonR. To liberate more space, the 2014 Alto/next-gen A-Star will get taller while also featuring a completely new design, one that is a departure from the bug-eyed looks of the current A-Star. The 2014 Alto/YL7 will replace not only the A-Star but also the Estilo hatchback in India. 

According to the EconomicTimes, Maruti Suzuki has begun "gradually phasing out" the A-Star hatchback from the Indian market. Another factor supporting the phase out is the fact that Nissan has culled the Pixo, a rebadged A-Star that Maruti Suzuki used to supply Nissan Europe, from its European line up. With Europe withdrawing the car scrappage scheme, exports of the A-Star from India to Europe have dwindled. With low domestic sales and A-Star exports also hitting a low, the time is now apt for Maruti Suzuki to phase out the car as building it might not make economic sense any more.

Also, as Maruti Suzuki has begun aggressively testing the YL7/2014 Alto on Indian roads, it is just a matter of time before the A-Star is replaced by the 2014 Alto/YL7 in India and overseas. The current-gen A-Star is available with the 1 liter K-Series petrol engine that comes with two transmission choices: a 5 speed manual and a 4 speed automatic gearbox. These engine-transmission options are likely to be carried over to the YL7/2014 Alto. In light of the imminent discontinuation of the A-Star, discount hunters may have a field day on existing stocks of the hatchback.