This is one milestone that is really hard to achieve. Maruti Suzuki can feel very proud of the fact that it has been able to cross the milestone figure of 10 million sales of its cars in the Indian domestic market. What adds greater significance to this achievement is the fact that the auto maker has been able to achieve this in a period of just a shade more than 28 years. The first car that the company had sold in the Indian market was in December 1983. More encouraging for Maruti Suzuki is that 50% of these sales have been achieved in the past six years.
The fact that the lion share of sales in this period of 28 years has been achieved by the vehicle with which the automaker made its foray into the Indian market – Maruti 800. The car has accounted for sales figures of 23.36 lakh by itself. The contribution of the Alto (including the K10) cannot be underestimated – the car, which has enjoyed a much lesser sale period, has been able to register an equally impressive figure of 19.08 lakh. The car, which helped Maruti Suzuki cross the figure of 10 million, was a red colored Swift VXi that was sold in the Coimbatore market.
Commenting on this momentous achievement, Maruti Suzuki CEO and Managing Director, Shinzo Nakanishi has said that the success of the auto maker has strong similarities with the success that the country of India has achieved in the last 20 years. With the growth and transformation of India in these two decades, Maruti has also equipped itself to meet the changing and increasing demands. Nakanishi has committed that Maruti is going to continue with its drive of evolution and growth in the Indian auto market. He personally thanked all the employees of the company along with its suppliers and dealers, who have shown great commitment in supporting the company.
In celebration of this momentous occasion, a special “Celebration Edition” of Maruti SX4 saloon has been unveiled by the company. Though the bodywork of this car has been subjected to certain changes, it is the interior that has been provided with the most changes. The insides of the door handles as well as the surroundings of the air-conditioner have now been loaded with chrome. New upholstery has also been provided along with specially designed cushions and floor mats to mark the occasion.
