Unless affordable, people won't buy electric cars: Maruti Suzuki India MD

43% GST on hybrid cars has put pressure on firm, which has been promoting hybrid tech mildly

Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest car maker, was promoting hybrid technology through mildly hybrid cars. The taxes on these vehicles, however, have been put at a steep 43 per cent under the new goods and services tax (GST), causing price hike and volume concerns. Kenichi Ayukawa, managing director and chief executive officer, on the policy thinking and response. Edited excerpts of a talk with Ajay Modi:

How is Maruti Suzuki changing its strategy to get more customers?

In our 35-year journey here, our goal has been to provide good cars to customers at affordable prices. Indian demand is changing — customers now