India, May 6 -- Maruti Suzuki Swift has been on Indian roads for over 19 years. Well over 25 lakh units of the model has been sold to Indian customers in these nearly two decades. A familiar sight in both urban, semi-urban as well as rural reaches of the country, the Swift has been acclaimed for its sporty looks and sportier drive abilities. But as the updated Maruti Suzuki Swift gets ready for a May 9 launch, it faces what may be its biggest challenge yet.

Gone are the days when the biggest competition for Maruti Suzuki Swift came from its direct rivals. The likes of Volkswagen Polo and Ford Figo are off the shelves while those that remain - Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS and Tata Altroz, to name a few - are not exactly volume drivers. No, the ...