For around four decades, Maruti Suzuki has been the country’s beloved carmaker. And it is unquestionably the biggest automobile manufacturer in India. More than half of the car buyers of the country go for Maruti Suzuki cars. The automaker thus leverages the largest market share and enjoys steady demand as well. So why does India love Maruti? Let’s look at the secret behind their success story.
The Beginning of Maruti Suzuki
The history of Maruti Suzuki can be traced back to 1981, with the founding of Maruti Udyog by the Government of India. A year later in the autumn of ’82, India’s Maruti went through a merger with Japan’s Suzuki, becoming the current Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. Initially market for cars in the country was small. However, with the government cutting taxes and bringing down the cost of fuel, cars became cheaper. With prices going down, more people started buying cars. Thus, the Indian car market expanded to accommodate the supply.
Maruti Suzuki commenced its journey in the country with Maruti 800. The boxy-looking hatchback, Maruti 800, was affordable even then at less than half a lakh. This ‘Maruti car’ of the 80s became incredibly popular and is considered a classic to date.
Even after the country opened up its economy in 1991, Maruti Suzuki carried on being the market leader in the passenger car segment. Even now the carmaker is putting up brand new models and expanding its portfolio, adding many notches to its belt. By 2020, the company has sold over 20 million cars. At present, Maruti Suzuki Swift is the highest-selling car in the country.
Do you want to know more about the history of Maruti Suzuki? Read Maruti Suzuki | The Name You Know, the History you Don’t
The Success
Most of the cars from the manufacturer has remained a huge hit in the country. Top auto manufacturers in the world failed to make a mark as big as the one left by Maruti Suzuki. So what makes the company so successful? Here are some reasons why India simply adores Maruti Suzuki.
-
Brand Loyalty
A still from Maruti Suzuki’s popular commercial Remember Maruti Suzuki’s advert video ‘Ghar Aa Gaya Hindustan’ from over a decade ago? Even after all these years, we still have this song stuck in our heads. We associate home and the nation with the car. Maruti Suzuki embodies everything Indian and instils in us a sense of unity. No wonder they got brand loyalty on their side along with a devoted customer base. We can still relate to their commercial that says India comes home in a Maruti Suzuki.
-
Where mileage is the middle name
Best Mileage Cars | Maruti Suzuki Ciaz If you have ever driven a Maruti Suzuki you might not have failed to notice the lower fuel consumption. These cars cannot brag about state-of-the-art safety features. But they are the best in class when it comes to mileage. This fuel efficiency, being the unofficial trademark of the marque qualifies their cars as the economical alternative for the common man.
-
Maruti Suzuki makes affordable cars
Maruti Suzuki WagonR After the country earned its independence there weren’t many car companies out there that sold affordable cars for the everyday Indian. Then Maruti Suzuki came along making the dream of car ownership true for many in the country. They are the starter car for every Indian family. With its affordability, the car still persists as the market leader. They have succeeded in building their brand as the ‘people’s car.’
-
Hatchbacks from the company
Maruti Alto 800 Hatchbacks rule the Indian roads. In the bustle of the city streets, hatchback cars are not just here and there, but everywhere. Hatchbacks are the most preferred car body type throughout the nation. The automaker’s success comes partly from its strength in the small hatchback segment. Maruti Suzuki’s entry-level hatchback Alto enjoys the position as the most demanded hatchback car in India.
-
Low Maintenance
The service costs of Maruti Suzuki cars are comparatively lower. There is a Maruti Suzuki service centre or a dealership in every nook and cranny of the nation. They service a large number of cars, day in and day out. With manufacturing facilities located in the country itself at both Gurgaon and Manesar, these cars are what ‘made in India’ looks like. And because of this very reason, you don’t have to go far for spare parts or components.
The main reason why the car is so successful is that the country loves Maruti Suzuki. Here are the 10 Reasons Why India Loves Maruti Suzuki Cars.
-
Something More
Maruti Suzuki India Maruti Suzuki never compromises on design despite coming at lower prices. Plus, there is always an impressive array of cars from the auto manufacturer just waiting to hit the market. And besides, if you are the proud owner of a Maruti Suzuki you might not have to pay a lot of additional taxes since the brand makes a lot of smaller cars. All the more reason why India loves Maruti Suzuki.
Maruti Suzuki Plant
Despite all this Maruti Suzuki can do more on some fronts. The company should put more effort to make the interiors of their vehicles look appealing to Gen Y and the post-millennials. But, even though the carmaker hasn’t made much headway in the international arena, it is still India’s top-selling car brand. The biggest competitor of the car manufacturer is Hyundai. However, with all the perks that come with a Maruti Suzuki, it is still the car that most Indians want to come home in.
