Maruti bets big on SUVs

MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA is sharpening its focus on the fast-growing sports utility vehicle (SUV) market and plans to enter the premium segment as well, managing director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said on Wednesday.

- NITIN KUMAR

The company, which has long dominated the small-car space, is now looking to strengthen its SUV portfolio as the segment accounts for nearly 55% of overall passenger vehicle sales in the country.

For Maruti, SUVs contribute about 28% of sales, a share that has tripled since 2020-21.

"We are covering up to the mid-size SUV segment but the over 4.5-metre category is now becoming a decent market size. I think we definitely have to have one product in this segment. We are talking about this, and we are studying," Takeuchi said at the launch of the company's new mid-size SUV, Victoris.