Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) today rolled out its 10-millionth car from its facility in Gurgaon, to become the first Indian automobile manufacturer to attain the milestone. With this, MSIL joins the ranks of global auto majors such as Toyota Motor Corporation, General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen, Renault and parent Suzuki Motor Corporation which have attained the feat.
MSIL, which began operations in 1983 (then Maruti Udyog Ltd) as a joint venture between the Indian government and Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp (SMC), rolled out a metallic breeze blue coloured WagonR VXi as its 10-millionth car. At present, it produces 1.2 million cars annually from its two plants at Gurgaon and Manesar.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Shinzo Nakanishi thanked the founding partners for laying a solid foundation which helped it “reach the historic landmark”. The company had, however, scrapped its plan to celebrate the occasion following the tragedy in Japan.
"With this landmark achievement, Maruti Suzuki becomes the only Indian car company that makes its entry into the select club of automobile manufacturers across the globe who have crossed this milestone," the company said in a statement. Nakanishi said MSIL had picked up momentum in the recent times and manufactured around five million units in the last six years.
The company handed over a Maruti 800 to the first customer in December 1983, MSIL produced the first millionth car in 1994. The cumulative production reached 2 million in 1997. The next big landmark of 5 million was reached in April 2005, almost 22 years after the first car was rolled out.
MSIL currently offers a wide range of 16 passenger vehicle models in India. It is the largest car maker, with over 45 per cent share in India's passenger vehicle market.
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The company has grown consistently over the years. During 2009-10, it posted revenue of Rs 30,119.7 crore. The revenue was Rs 20,358.3 crore in 2008-09, up from Rs 17,860.3 crore in 2007-08.
At present, MSIL produces 1.2 million cars annually from its two plants at Gurgaon and Manesar. The company is investing close to Rs 3,625 crore to set up two new units at Manesar, which will bring in an additional annual capacity of 0.5 million units per annum. Once these new facilities are in place by 2013, it will have a capacity to manufacture over 1.7 million units annually.