As Reported By AndhraBusiness.com, Largest Online news network for business news in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
Come April, the iconic Maruti 800 would drive into sunset, two-and-a-half-decades after having brought about the small car revolution in the Indian passenger car market.
Maruti 800 will not be upgraded to meet the Euro IV emission norms. It will no more be available in 13 cities in India from April when the emission norms come into force, said Maruti Suzuki Chairman RC Bhargava on Friday.
The name Sanjay Gandhi may invoke bitter memories to millions of Indians. But his biggest gift to India was the founding of Maruti Udyog Ltd, aimed at producing a people’s car in 1971, much before Ratan Tata’s dream car Nano costing Rs. 1 lakh.
The people’s car proposal mooted by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s Cabinet in 1971 was aimed at creating a cheap, affordable, indigenous vehicle that the middle-class could afford.
Maruti Udyog Limited was established in February 1981 with that aim and it was in 1983 that the first Maruti 800, based on the Suzuki Alto kei car, rolled out creating history.
The Indian consumer, who had to wait for months on end to book an insipid Premier Padmini or Ambassador, lapped up Maruti 800. Maruti followed it up with Omni in 1984 which could accommodate the large Indian joint families.
Until 1998 when foreign car-makers like Ford, Hyundai and General Motors started rolling out newer and smaller car models in India, it was Maruti 800’s show all the way, for over 15 years.
Whether as the first car for a middle-aged executive or as the aspiration for a family or as a dowry material to show one’s standing in society, Maruti 800 has seen many memorable moments in its 27-year Indian journey and enlivened many lives.
Till April, 2005, when Euro III norms were introduced in India and Maruti 800’s upgradation to the Euro III standards was doubtful, it was the largest selling passenger car in India.
About 25 lakh Maruti 800 cars have been sold in India till date. The car which pioneered the small car revolution in India will continue to drive the dreams and aspirations of millions of small town Indians.
