Maruti Suzuki's strategic pivot: Embracing SUVs as key growth drivers
ECONOMY & POLICY

Maruti Suzuki's strategic pivot: Embracing SUVs as key growth drivers

Maruti Suzuki India is embarking on a significant strategy shift to capitalize on the surging demand for SUVs in the Indian market. Over the next three years, starting from FY25, the company plans to introduce at least six new models, the majority being sports utility vehicles (SUVs). This move underscores Maruti Suzuki's commitment to aligning with evolving consumer preferences towards SUVs.

Insiders familiar with the company's plans reveal that these new launches will expand Maruti Suzuki's SUV lineup to approximately 30 models, including popular offerings like the Grand Vitara and Brezza. This initiative marks a pivotal step for Suzuki Motor's Indian subsidiary as it aims to double its annual production to 4 million vehicles by the end of the decade.

Maruti Suzuki's ambitious goal includes selling between 540,000 - 560,000 SUVs in FY26, a substantial increase from the estimated 440,000 units expected to be sold in the current fiscal year. While the company refrains from providing specific guidance on future models, it aims to cover a broad spectrum within the SUV segment, including micro SUVs, compact SUVs, compact electric SUVs, and two new four-meter SUV models.

The company's strategy resembles its past approach in the passenger car market, targeting various segments with models at different price points. Maruti Suzuki intends to fill all white spaces in the SUV segment, including micro SUVs, compact SUVs, and electric variants. Additionally, it plans to introduce two new four-meter SUV models to compete with Mahindra & Mahindra's popular XUV700.

Maruti Suzuki's foray into electric vehicles (EVs) is also gaining momentum, with four EVs in the pipeline. The first is slated to be the company's debut electric SUV, scheduled for launch in October. Positioned in the premium segment, this model is expected to be priced between Rs 2 million and Rs 2.5 million. Subsequent EV launches include a seven-seater electric SUV in March 2025, a small EV in May 2026, and an electric MPV derivative in October 2026.

Furthermore, Maruti Suzuki is developing additional models, including a micro-SUV, a small SUV, and a three-row MPV, set to hit the market in FY26 and FY27. The company also plans to launch new iterations of its popular models like the Swift/Dzire, Fronx facelift, and Baleno in the coming years.

In response to the growing trend towards electrification, Maruti Suzuki is incorporating hybrid technology into most of its models, which are priced up to INR 12 lakh. This move aims to cater to evolving consumer preferences while the company continues to explore pure EV options.

The shift towards SUVs reflects broader market trends, with SUVs accounting for 53% of India's passenger vehicle market in December 2023, up from 44% a year earlier. Maruti Suzuki's proactive stance in this segment has significantly boosted its overall sales, with SUVs now comprising 25% of its total sales compared to less than 10% two years ago.

Maruti Suzuki India is embarking on a significant strategy shift to capitalize on the surging demand for SUVs in the Indian market. Over the next three years, starting from FY25, the company plans to introduce at least six new models, the majority being sports utility vehicles (SUVs). This move underscores Maruti Suzuki's commitment to aligning with evolving consumer preferences towards SUVs. Insiders familiar with the company's plans reveal that these new launches will expand Maruti Suzuki's SUV lineup to approximately 30 models, including popular offerings like the Grand Vitara and Brezza. This initiative marks a pivotal step for Suzuki Motor's Indian subsidiary as it aims to double its annual production to 4 million vehicles by the end of the decade. Maruti Suzuki's ambitious goal includes selling between 540,000 - 560,000 SUVs in FY26, a substantial increase from the estimated 440,000 units expected to be sold in the current fiscal year. While the company refrains from providing specific guidance on future models, it aims to cover a broad spectrum within the SUV segment, including micro SUVs, compact SUVs, compact electric SUVs, and two new four-meter SUV models. The company's strategy resembles its past approach in the passenger car market, targeting various segments with models at different price points. Maruti Suzuki intends to fill all white spaces in the SUV segment, including micro SUVs, compact SUVs, and electric variants. Additionally, it plans to introduce two new four-meter SUV models to compete with Mahindra & Mahindra's popular XUV700. Maruti Suzuki's foray into electric vehicles (EVs) is also gaining momentum, with four EVs in the pipeline. The first is slated to be the company's debut electric SUV, scheduled for launch in October. Positioned in the premium segment, this model is expected to be priced between Rs 2 million and Rs 2.5 million. Subsequent EV launches include a seven-seater electric SUV in March 2025, a small EV in May 2026, and an electric MPV derivative in October 2026. Furthermore, Maruti Suzuki is developing additional models, including a micro-SUV, a small SUV, and a three-row MPV, set to hit the market in FY26 and FY27. The company also plans to launch new iterations of its popular models like the Swift/Dzire, Fronx facelift, and Baleno in the coming years. In response to the growing trend towards electrification, Maruti Suzuki is incorporating hybrid technology into most of its models, which are priced up to INR 12 lakh. This move aims to cater to evolving consumer preferences while the company continues to explore pure EV options. The shift towards SUVs reflects broader market trends, with SUVs accounting for 53% of India's passenger vehicle market in December 2023, up from 44% a year earlier. Maruti Suzuki's proactive stance in this segment has significantly boosted its overall sales, with SUVs now comprising 25% of its total sales compared to less than 10% two years ago.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Asian Energy Services Q1 FY27 PAT Rises 129 Per Cent

Asian Energy Services Limited reported a 129 per cent year-on-year rise in net profit to Rs 128 million for Q1 FY27, compared with the corresponding quarter last year.Revenue increased 135 per cent year-on-year to Rs 2.71 billion, supported by continued momentum across its services business, disciplined execution and contributions from domestic and international operations. EBITDA grew 81 per cent year-on-year during the quarter.As of June 30, 2026, the company’s standalone order book stood at Rs 17.54 billion, with around 60 per cent coming from oil and gas services and 40 per cent from min..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

BioBTX to Build First Commercial-Scale Circular Chemicals Plant

Dutch circular chemistry technology developer BioBTX is building what it says will be the world’s first commercial-scale plant to convert mixed plastic waste into high-quality aromatic chemicals using its proprietary Integrated Catalytic Cracking Process (ICCP) technology.The facility will be built at Chemical Park Delfzijl on the northern coast of the Netherlands and is expected to create 35 jobs. Covestro, which has been a shareholder and strategic partner of BioBTX since 2024, holds a mid-single-digit million-euro investment in the company.BioBTX’s ICCP technology uses catalytic pyrolys..

Next Story
Real Estate

Awfis Q1 FY27 PAT Jumps 140% as Revenue Rises 27%

Awfis Space Solutions reported a 140 per cent year-on-year rise in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) to Rs 240 million for Q1 FY27, compared with Rs 100 million in the corresponding quarter last year.Revenue from operations increased 27 per cent to Rs 4.25 billion from Rs 3.35 billion, while EBITDA rose 28 per cent to Rs 1.62 billion. EBITDA margin improved to 38.2 per cent from 37.8 per cent. Profit before tax increased 135 per cent to Rs 240 million.The company's co-working business recorded 27 per cent year-on-year growth, supported by demand from enterprises, Global Capability Centres (G..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement