Perhaps spooked by Toyota's offering of a service plan on its new Aygo entry level hatch, Suzuki has now announced the introduction of a service plan as standard on its Alto.
The service plan runs for three years or 45 000km and it includes the replacement of engine oil, the oil filter, fuel filter, air filter, the brake fluid and all accessory belts. Tyres, brakes and other wear-and-tear items are excluded. It is, however, one service short of Toyota’s 4-yr/60 000km plan.
While Suzuki has offered the service plan to Alto buyers since 2010 as a special offer, it has now officially confirmed it as a standard feature.
The Suzuki Alto is offered in 1.0 GL (R104 900) and 1.0 GLS (R119 900) guises, power coming from a 1-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine that produces 50kW and 87Nm.
The GL is equipped with air conditioning, power steering and dual airbags, while the GLS adds alloy wheels, electric windows, an audio system, central locking and ABS brakes.
There is plenty of strong, and bigger-engined, competition in this field however, the likes of Nissan's new Micra, the Ford Figo and VW Polo Vivo being among the best sellers here.