Maruti Suzuki switching lanes: Small cars now down to 25% of total sales

Changing customer preferences, supported by growing incomes, are the primary factor driving this change

Maruti Suzuki, which started as an entry-level carmaker 35 years ago (the 800 was launched in 1983) and rode on the popularity of these cars to become the market leader, now gets just one-fourth of sales from this segment. Not very long ago (in 2011-12), this segment brought almost half of the carmaker’s sales. The share of the mini segment, a classification for small cars up to 3.6 metres in length, has declined for four consecutive years, even as total sales continue to expand in double digits.

Changing customer preferences, supported by growing incomes, are the primary factor driving this