More cars cost more

AFTER its Korean rivals, Hyundai and Daewoo increased prices, it is now the turn of Maruti to effect an across-the-board price hike.

The increase in prices, which comes into immediate effect, ranges from 0.3 per cent to 2.5 per cent. The Maruti 800 Standard now costs Rs 2,18,189 (ex-showroom Delhi), an increase of 1.01 per cent.

The Zen (Diesel) is more expensive by Rs 6,224, while the Esteem (VX MPI) is dearer by Rs 10,225, at Rs 5,62,093. The sharpest increase is in the Alto (LX), which now costs Rs 3,07,159, an increase of over 2.5 per cent. The company has cited the increase in cost of production and raw materials, and the depreciation of the rupee as the reasons for the price hike.