NEW DELHI: India’s carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) on Tuesday launched a telematics solution called ‘Suzuki Connect’ for its Nexa outlet customers. Available at a cost of Rs 9,999, the premium service will provide safety features such as live vehicle tracking and emergency alerts such as informing user’s family/friends in case of airbag deployment.
“A nationwide extensive study of two years was conducted to understand the challenges faced by Indian car owners regularly. Unlike other on-board diagnostics based telematics solutions available in market, ‘Suzuki Connect’ is a telematics control unit based solution which is better, safer and more user friendly,” Maruti Suzuki’s Senior Executive Director, Marketing and Sales R S Kalsi said.
The carmaker claimed that the solution is useful for parents to track their vehicle when they send their kids to school with drivers as they can track the vehicle’s live status throughout the journey and any breach of their set configuration will alert them. While users can check their vehicle status such as seat belts, status of AC, fuel level under the ‘live vehicle status’ feature, ‘preventive assistance’ feature provides MSIL customer care assistance in case the system detect malfunction. It’s other key feature ‘driving behavior analysis’ gives analysis on user’s driving behavior on economy, comfort and safety aspects to enhance driving ability.
To avail the facilities of ‘Suzuki Connect’, users will need to install an extensive machine in their cars which is available at Nexa outlets. The system utilises a TCU which exchanges information through a cellular network with a centralised server connected to Nexa customer care (subject to applicable terms and conditions of the NEXA app).
To expand the reach of the telematics, MSIL will start providing the solution for non-Nexa cars by the end of this year. At present, the service can be availed on only these models — S-cross, high-end hatchback Baleno, sedan Ciaz and hatchback Ignis.Apart from providing high tech services, the carmaker eyes a business potential in telematics solution. “Global telematics, currently sized at $55 billion, is growing at a CAGR of 18 per cent and will touch $103 billion in the next few years. India’s telematics industry on the other hand is in a very nascent stage and there is an opportunity for growth. By 2020, it is anticipated that 2.6 per cent of total cars will be connected cars,” Kalsi said.
New telematics solutions @ Rs 9,999 for three years
■ At present, the service is Nexa exclusive
■ For Maruti Arena consumers, the service will be available by the year end