Maruti Suzuki Cars

About Maruti Suzuki

History:

Maruti has been the undisputed leader of the Indian automotive industry ever since its inception back in 1981. With over 19 vehicles spanning different body styles in its portfolio, there is a Maruti Suzuki car for every budget. The carmaker’s sales and service network is also unparalleled with over 3600 dealerships and 3900 service touch points spread across the country.

The first vehicle to roll off the production line in 1983 was the Maruti 800. Before that, only a couple of carmakers were present in the country, and the Maruti 800 came in as a breath of fresh air. Currently, Maruti retails its products through two different divisions: Arena and NEXA. NEXA was launched back in 2015, with the aim of providing a platform for retailing premium models, unlike the Arena division that focuses on budget-friendly offerings.

Product portfolio:

Hatchbacks: Maruti’s lineup of hatchbacks ranges from affordable entry-level models like the Alto and S-Presso to premium offerings such as the Ignis and Baleno.

Van: Maruti launched the long-serving Eeco in 2010. It’s an affordable and efficient people mover with a rather contemporary design.

Sub-compact SUV: The hottest segment in the Indian market has some stiff competition and that’s a fact acknowledged by Maruti. Hence, it’s got the Vitara Brezza which rivals the likes of the Hyundai Venue and Mahindra XUV300. 

Compact SUV: The S-Cross, a crossover model sold via the NEXA showrooms, goes up against compact SUVs including the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.

People movers: A market leader introduced in 2012, the Ertiga is Maruti’s second 7-seater vehicle in the country. For those wanting a more premium MPV, there’s the Maruti XL6 from the carmaker’s NEXA division. Both the MPVs get a petrol-powered powertrain assisted using mild-hybrid tech.

Sedan: One of the most successful models to-date, the Swift Dzire was introduced as a sub-4m sedan back in 2008. Twelve years forward, three facelifts later, the sub-4m sedan is still going strong against the likes of the Hyundai Aura, Tata Tigor and Honda Amaze. The NEXA division offers the Maruti Ciaz which goes head to head against the likes of the Honda City and Hyundai Verna. 

Greatest Hits:

Maruti’s top products in India have been: 

Maruti Suzuki 800: The second longest-serving car in India. The small and nimble 800 had a successful innings of three long decades.

Maruti Suzuki Swift: Launched in 2005, the Swift is one of Maruti’s highest selling vehicles. 

Maruti Suzuki Alto: The Maruti Alto has been a favourite among people looking for a value-for-money hatchback.

Maruti Suzuki Gypsy: Launched in 1985, this offroading legend has been the jewel of the Indian police force for eons.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Took the market by a storm when it was first introduced in 2008. Fourteen years down the road and it’s still one of the top selling sedans in the country.

Future Plans: 

Having no EV on offer yet, it's safe to say Maruti is treading carefully towards the dive into the world of electrification. However, the focus is clear. Plans are in place for the adoption of the EV tech. Beginning with the addition of mild-hybrid systems in its lineup. The next in line will be the Maruti-Toyota compact SUV which will have both mid-hybrid and strong-hybrid powertrains. Yet, it won’t be before 2025 that the marque will have an all-electric vehicle in its lineup. The pipeline also holds the launch of the Jimny in the near future. It is an off-roading capable SUV, unlike the contemporary models in Maruti’s portfolio. It’ll be interesting to see how the carmaker will fare in the world of EVs and whether it will remain at the zenith of the rankings chart.