Suzuki Alto - Export Markets

Export Markets

Early exports were usually Frontes, as the Alto nameplate was only used on commercial versions in Japan, exported with few changes apart from enlarged engines, sometimes modified bodywork and various different names. Thus the SS40 Fronte became the SS80 Alto with a 796 cc engine. However, as Suzuki made agreements with companies such as Maruti to build their models, it began to be possible to sell different models to different areas:

• The CA71 is made with the 796-cc engine in India as the Maruti 800, in Pakistan by Pak Suzuki as the Mehran 800, and in China by (among others) Chang'an, Jiangbei and Jiangnan. This model, rather than the CL11, was exported to Europe until 1994.
• The CL11 was made in Korea, Poland, Romania and Uzbekistan as the Daewoo Tico, and in China by Anchi.
• In 1994 the CA71 Alto was replaced for European consumption by the Maruti-built version of the Cervo Mode, which was sold as the Alto until 2002.
• The HA12 is made in India as the Maruti Alto (in a longer and wider form with 796 or 1,061 cc engines, with five doors), and this was exported to Europe as the Suzuki Alto from 2002 until 2009. It is also made by Pak Suzuki in Pakistan, and was formerly made by Chevrolet in Colombia.
• The current Alto is exported from India with a 998 cc engine producing 65 PS (48 kW).

Thus the European Suzuki Altos are really:

• 1979–84: SS40 Frontes with a 40 hp (30 kW) 796 cc 3-cylinder engine (SS80).
• 1984–94: CA/CB91 Altos/Frontes (also referred to as SB308) with the same 40 hp (30 kW) F8B engine as the SS80.
• 1994–2002: Maruti Zens (based on the Cervo Mode), with a 993 cc engine.
• 2002–2009: Maruti Altos (based on the HA12 Alto), with a 1,061 cc engine.
• 2009 to date Maruti Suzuki A-Star, with a 998 cc engine.

The Suzuki Alto European market version of the Maruti Suzuki A-Star was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. It was developed to be a global car and will be made at Maruti Suzuki's plant in Manesar, Haryana, India. It is stylistically based on the Suzuki A-Star Concept. The Alto was conceived as a response to high petrol prices and global warming. The vehicle's emissions will be only 103g of CO₂/km. It will be an eco-friendly car priced from £6,795 OTR. The Maruti Suzuki A-Star is also produced for Nissan, its version is called Nissan Pixo.

The GoGet car share scheme provides 2009 model Suzuki Altos as part of its fleet of share cars in Australia. The locally made versions of the various Altos have had long production lives, and have sometimes won great popularity, as with the Maruti 800. In particular the CA71 generation has been produced in many countries, and can frequently be seen being offered as a cheap city car among several more newly designed products.