Strong Hybrids Make Up 16% of Maruti Suzuki's Portfolio; CNG Vehicles Account for 34%

According to Partho Banerjee, Executive Officer of Marketing and Sales at Maruti Suzuki, strong hybrid vehicles made up 16% of the company's portfolio in August, up from 9% in FY24. Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest automobile manufacturer, currently offers two strong hybrid models: the Grand Vitara and the Invicto.

In August, CNG vehicles comprised 34% of Maruti Suzuki's portfolio. The company has around 1.65 lakh bookings for CNG models, with the Ertiga, Brezza, and Dzire leading the demand.

Partho Banerjee, Executive Officer of Marketing and Sales, highlighted that Maruti Suzuki has achieved a 28% growth between April and August this year, with numbers approaching 50,000 in August alone. "Our primary focus is to ensure all our models meet customer needs, expand CNG availability to more towns, and raise awareness about the benefits of CNG vehicles," Banerjee stated. "CNG is an excellent product, and we aim to make it more accessible and known to customers."

The company previously set a target of achieving 6 lakh car sales by FY30. However, despite offering discounts, Maruti Suzuki experienced a 4% decline in sales in August, with 1,81,782 units sold compared to 1,89,082 units during the same period last year. Sales in the small car and compact segment fell by 18.8% to 68,699 units, down from 84,660 units in August of the previous year. Sedans make up 7.9% and hatchbacks 40.5% of Maruti Suzuki’s portfolio.

Partho Banerjee, Executive Officer of Marketing and Sales, anticipates growth in small car sales moving forward. "The cost of vehicles has risen significantly due to new regulations, while monthly household incomes have not increased accordingly. This disparity is creating a gap that affects customers' ability to purchase cars," Banerjee explained.

According to Banerjee, the launch of the limited-edition series has generated strong interest among customers in small cars. "However, another challenge is that this customer segment often faces difficulties securing financing. To address this, we are collaborating with our finance partners to develop innovative financial products," Banerjee stated.