8 Interesting Facts About Maruti Suzuki

From the day the Indian automotive industry was born till date, a carmaker has always come on top. Surprisingly this auto giant also is from almost the beginning of this industry in India. Yes! It is the Maruti Suzuki we are after. So, let’s take some time and see how Maruti Suzuki became what it is today. These are eight interesting facts about Maruti Suzuki you might not know. So, let’s begin!

1. 1971: Suzuki vs Volkswagen
   

   

   Before anything ever started, in 1971, the government of India put forward a scheme of producing ‘people’s cars’ for India. But before finalizing the deal, Sanjay Gandhi was also considering Volkswagen to collaborate with the Maruti Udyog. This is where the company would share the technology and initiate the production of people’s cars.

   If it had been Volkwagen, the people’s car in India would have competed with the sales of VW Beetle across the world back then. But, Suzuki was on its toes, and they delivered the design of the people’s car first. Hence, the contract was handed over to the Japanese carmaker Suzuki.

2. Maruti 800, First of its kind
   

   

   There are multiple unique things about the iconic Maruti 800; indeed, it was the first of its kind. Well, this was the same design that was proposed at the people’s car in the contract. Speaking of which, the creation of the tiny car was inspired by Suzuki’s Model 796. Fun fact, the 800 was globally known as Suzuki Fronte or the Alto.

   Also, it had a 796cc, 3-cylinder engine under its hood, and this motor was capable of generating 38ps of power and a peak torque of 59Nm. Mated to a 4-speed gearbox, this car was fun to drive, so much so, Maruti later gave it a 5-speed gearbox to make it even more drivable, especially on highways.

   To know more: Maruti Suzuki | The Name You Know, the History you Don’t

3. Production began in 1983
   

   

   It was 1981 when the Maruti Udyog and Suzuki venture began. But it wasn’t until 1983 they started production of the first people’s car, the 800, in India. Well, that was quick. Maruti Suzuki and Marutied set a record as they took just 13 months to go from a mere design to the production of the vehicle.

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4. First Maruti Sold
   

   

   The starting price of the brand new Maruti 800 at the time of its launch was ₹47,500. Mr Harpal Singh from Delhi won the lucky draw and was later handed over the keys by the then Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi.

5. Car sales rose two folds
   

   After establishing the manufacturing plant in Gurgaon, they were soon making a lot of cars, and we mean a lot. How many? Well, a new car rolled out of the production line for every counting minute. This is when car sales almost doubled in the country. Maruti Suzuki was producing nearly 40,000 to more than 1 Lakh cars in a year. This was just after a couple of years later from the year commencing the production.

   Also, read: Maruti Omni | An Ode to a Versatile Van

6. 1997: 80% of cars on the road were Maruti
   

   

   Till 1997 more than 80% of the cars on the road in the country was Maruti Suzuki. In that year, the Maruti Suzuki’s portfolio comprised of Omni, Esteem, Zen, 1000. The production was high, and so was the demand.

   Related: Maruti 1000 (Maruti Suzuki Esteem) | Sedan of the yesteryear

7. 2000: Maruti introduced a lottery system
   

   

   Making affordable cars for the commoner was the paramount objective of the Maruti Suzuki in India. Because of this, the demand rose exponentially. People were able to afford cars now. Not to compensate and release some of the pressure off the manufacturing plant, the company came with the idea of a lottery system.

   The first vehicle was the Maruti 1000. Bach then, the Maruti’s saloon 1000 cost around ₹3.4 Lakh, which was expensive for the time. Still, people were crazy enough to have one. Hence, the lottery system.

8. 2014: the icon’s production stopped
   

   

   From 1983 to 2014, Maruti Suzuki 800 was one of the cars in production for a long time. These 37 years of 800 were a delight, and almost every family in the country had one.

   In fact, with the presence of the Maruti Suzuki 800, nearly everyone could afford a car for themselves and their family. Indeed Maruti 800 was an icon, and we surely miss the presence of this hatch in the Indian market now.

Also, read 10 Most Googled Questions About Maruti 800, Answered!