Maruti Suzuki – CarMafia

Passenger Vehicle Wholesales Reach New High in July 2023, Fueled by SUV and MPV Demand

Sourav — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 08:52:16 +0000

Passenger vehicle wholesales in India reached a record high in July 2023, with an estimated 3,52,492 units sold. The surge in demand for Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) played a significant role in achieving this milestone, although the demand for small cars remained tepid and affected overall growth. The overall sales figure is up 3.1 percent compared to the same month last year, making July 2023 the best-performing month for the passenger vehicle industry this calendar year, and likely the best July in history.

The statistics revealed that utility vehicles, including SUVs and MPVs, continue to dominate the market, constituting every second car sold in the country. This segment’s growth outpaced that of hatchbacks and sedans, establishing it as the highest seller for nearly all manufacturers. Cumulative sales for the first seven months of 2023 totaled approximately 23,62,500 units, representing a remarkable 9 percent year-on-year growth.

Passenger Vehicles Sales in July 2023

Manufacturer	July ’23	July ’22	YoY growth	June ’23	MoM growth
Maruti Suzuki	1,52,126	1,42,850	6%	1,33,027	14.35%
Hyundai Motors	50,701	50,500	0	50,001	1.39%
Tata Motors	47,689	47,636	0	47,359	0.69%
Mahindra & Mahindra	36,205	28,053	29%	32,588	11%
Toyota Kirloskar Motors	20,759	19,693	5%	18,237	14%
MG Motor India	5,012	4,013	25%	5,125	-2.2%
Honda Cars India	4,864	6,784	-28%	5,080	-4.4%
Total of 7 OEMs	3,17,356	2,99,529	6%	2,91,417	8.9%

Leading the charts in July 2023 was Maruti Suzuki, with total wholesales of 1,52,126 units, marking a 6 percent year-on-year increase. The company’s expanding portfolio of utility vehicles, which includes compact and midsized SUVs, along with three MPVs, contributed significantly to this growth.

Maruti Suzuki

Maruti Suzuki’s UV portfolio, featuring models such as the Brezza, Ertiga, Fronx, Grand Vitara, Invicto, Jimny, S-Cross, and XL6, witnessed an impressive 167 percent year-on-year growth, selling 62,049 units in July 2023. The Nexa lineup, which includes 52,500 units sold, also played a crucial role in boosting the company’s overall performance. As a result, Maruti Suzuki’s market share rose to 43.3 percent in July 2023, compared to 41.8 percent in the same month last year.

However, the sales of the company’s other sub-segments, namely the budget hatchbacks (Alto and S Presso), compact cars (Baleno, Celerio, Dzire, Ignis, Swift, Tour S, Wagon R), premium sedan (Ciaz), and the Eeco van, declined in comparison to the previous year.

Hyundai Motors

Hyundai Motors recorded a total of 50,701 units sold in July 2023, with a marginal year-on-year growth of 0.39 percent. The Hyundai Creta remained the best-selling model for the automaker, and it recently crossed the milestone of 9,00,000 units sold since its launch eight years ago. To protect its market position, Hyundai is banking on the recently launched Exter, and it aims to achieve overall domestic market sales of around 6,00,000 units for the entire year.

Tata Motors

Tata Motors reported wholesales of 47,689 units in July 2023, maintaining flat growth compared to the same month last year. However, the company witnessed a marginal month-on-month growth of 0.11 percent. Despite facing new competition in the electric vehicle segment, Tata Motors’ EV sales grew by an impressive 53 percent year-on-year. Tata Motors has outlined plans to launch around half-a-dozen new models, including facelifts and new powertrain options, starting this festive season.

Mahindra & Mahindra

Mahindra & Mahindra achieved its highest-ever monthly SUV sales in July 2023, with total wholesales of 36,205 units. This marks a strong 29 percent year-on-year growth and an 11 percent month-on-month increase. The company’s robust market performance is due to its 31 percent growth in the first seven months of 2023, as well as the first four months of FY2024. Mahindra has expanded its SUV manufacturing capacity to cater to the surging demand for UVs.

Toyota

Toyota Kirloskar Motors reported wholesales of 20,759 units in July 2023, representing a 5 percent year-on-year growth. The company experienced a substantial 14 percent month-on-month increase in sales, driven by the rising demand for its cars, SUVs, and MPVs. MG Motor India achieved a year-on-year growth of 25 percent in July 2023, with retail sales of 5,012 units. However, the company’s sales witnessed a 2.2 percent month-on-month decline due to the impact of severe weather and floods in some parts of the country.

Maruti’s New Era: Building EVs for Global Markets with Toyota and Suzuki

Sourav — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 16:19:19 +0000

The automotive landscape in India is set for a transformation as Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) gears up to take over the Gujarat plant from Suzuki Motor Corporation, focusing on EV production.

Unveiling the First Born-EV Maruti SUV

The first born-EV Maruti SUV, based on the eVX concept, is scheduled to roll out from the Gujarat plant by 2025, marking a significant milestone in Maruti’s evolution.

Plant Takeover and Strategic Partnership

The plant takeover has been sanctioned by the board of directors of both companies. The transfer will be executed subject to all legal and regulatory compliances, including approval from minority shareholders, according to the statement released by the companies.

Production and Efficiency

Gujarat plant to be Maruti’s first EV manufacturing base
The plant currently produces around 7.5 lakh cars annually
India accounts for 60 percent of Suzuki’s global production
Takeover aimed at increasing production efficiency

Future Growth and Challenges

With the growth of the Indian car market and the potential for export, MSIL plans to raise its production capacity to about 4 million cars per annum by 2030-’31. Managing the scale and complexity of various powertrain technologies like EVs, hybrids, CNGs, ethanol will present challenges, according to MSIL.

New Facility and Future Projects

The new facility in Kharkhoda, Haryana is expected to increase India’s share of Suzuki’s global production capacity to 68-70 percent. This facility will also witness the production of a seven-seat SUV based on the Grand Vitara.

Maruti Suzuki Recalls S Presso and Eeco Vehicles: Steering Tie Rod Defect

Sourav — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 10:34:01 +0000

Maruti Suzuki, the renowned automobile manufacturer, has announced a recall for 87,599 units of its popular S Presso and Eeco vehicles in India. The recall has been initiated to inspect a possible defect in a part of the steering tie rod, which may impact vehicle steerability and handling, as stated by the company.

Scope of the Recall

The affected S Presso and Eeco units were built between July 5, 2021, and February 15, 2023, according to the official statement from Maruti Suzuki. The carmaker has identified a potential defect in a section of the steering tie rod used in these vehicles, which could, in rare instances, lead to its breakage and subsequently affect the vehicle’s steerability and handling.

Maruti Suzuki has assured customers that its authorized dealer workshops will proactively reach out to the owners of the affected vehicles to conduct thorough inspections and replace the faulty part, completely free of charge. The company’s commitment to customer safety remains a top priority, and this recall is an essential step to ensure the well-being of its valued customers.

Fourth Recall in 2023

This recall marks the fourth instance of a safety recall by Maruti Suzuki in 2023. So far, this year, a total of 1,23,351 units have been recalled by the automaker. The first recall occurred on January 17, 2023, involving 17,362 units of various models like Alto K10, S Presso, Eeco, Brezza, Baleno, and Grand Vitara. The purpose of this recall was to inspect the airbag controller for potential defects that might affect airbag deployment and seatbelt pre-tensioners in case of an accident.

Following closely, on January 23, 2023, Maruti Suzuki initiated a second recall for 11,177 units of the Grand Vitara SUV to examine the rear seatbelt mounting brackets. The company aimed to address potential defects that could lead to loosening over time, impacting the seatbelt’s functionality. Notably, Toyota also issued a service recall for its Hyryder SUV, manufactured alongside the Grand Vitara, for the same issue.

The third recall was announced on April 21, 2023, affecting 7,213 units of the Baleno RS hatchback, produced between October 27, 2016, and November 1, 2019. The recall addressed a possible defect in the vacuum pump, which might require increased effort for brake pedal application.

Continued Commitment to Safety

Maruti Suzuki has been dedicated to ensuring customer safety and satisfaction. Since 2012, when SIAM’s voluntary vehicle recall policy came into effect, the automaker has conducted a total of 29 recalls, involving approximately 8,63,901 vehicles. This proactive approach exemplifies the company’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality in its products.

The recent recall for S Presso and Eeco units is the third-largest recall conducted by Maruti Suzuki. On September 3, 2021, a significant recall of 1,81,754 units took place, involving models like Ciaz, Ertiga, XL6, Brezza, and S-Cross. Additionally, on July 15, 2020, another substantial recall affected 1,34,885 units of Wagon R and Baleno to inspect a faulty fuel pump.

Maruti Suzuki is dedicated to resolving these potential issues promptly and efficiently, ensuring the safety and satisfaction of its customers across India. Their proactive approach to addressing any concerns reinforces their position as a trusted and customer-centric automobile brand.

Maruti Suzuki Launches CNG-Powered Fronx Coupe Crossover, Offering Enhanced Fuel Efficiency

Sourav — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 17:33:48 +0000

Maruti Suzuki, India’s leading automobile manufacturer, has introduced the much-anticipated CNG variant of its popular Fronx coupe crossover. Priced attractively, the CNG models are aimed at eco-conscious consumers who seek both fuel efficiency and a stylish, feature-packed vehicle.

The Maruti Suzuki Fronx CNG comes in two trims, namely Sigma and Delta, and boasts a 1.2-litre petrol engine paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Both trims showcase similar design elements to their petrol-powered counterparts, except for a slight compromise in boot space due to the CNG tank’s placement.

The company has priced the entry-level Sigma trim at Rs 8.42 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), which is Rs 95,000 higher than its petrol equivalent, priced at Rs 7.47 lakh. Similarly, the range-topping Delta trim is available at Rs 9.28 lakh, with a corresponding petrol variant priced at Rs 8.33 lakh. This premium reflects the additional cost associated with equipping the Fronx with a CNG powertrain.

Under the hood, the 1.2-litre petrol engine generates 90 horsepower and 113 Nm of torque in petrol mode. However, these figures reduce to 77.5 horsepower and 98.5 Nm of torque when running on CNG. Despite the lower power output, the Fronx CNG compensates with exceptional fuel efficiency, providing an impressive 28.51 kilometers per kilogram (km/kg).

Inside the Fronx CNG, owners will find a stylish black and brown interior, complemented by a range of features. The vehicle is equipped with a 7.0-inch touchscreen featuring the SmartPlay Pro system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, steering-mounted controls, automatic climate control, dual airbags, and reverse parking sensors.

Maruti Suzuki’s decision to introduce the Fronx CNG strengthens its position in the growing market for compact SUVs with alternative fuel options. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG is the only other compact SUV currently available with a factory-fitted CNG kit.

With its launch, Maruti Suzuki aims to cater to environmentally conscious consumers who value both style and fuel efficiency. The Fronx CNG promises to deliver an economical and eco-friendly driving experience, further bolstering Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to sustainability in the automotive industry.