Maruti Suzuki, the leading car manufacturer in the country, dominates the top-selling car charts month after month, with seven out of the top 10 best-selling cars usually being from their lineup.
However, there has been a surprising setback in the sales of one of the company’s affordable cars, causing it to slip from its usual top position.
Maruti Suzuki’s Alto, which was once a regular in the top-selling car list, has experienced a significant decline in sales.
In May, it dropped to the 13th position in terms of sales figures. Only 9,368 units were sold, a notable decrease compared to the 12,933 units sold in May 2022, marking a 28% decline in sales.
Previously, the Maruti Alto 800 and Maruti Alto K10 were both part of the Alto lineup. However, the company has discontinued the cheaper Alto 800 model, resulting in a significant reduction in sales.
The decision to discontinue the model was driven by the implementation of the BS6 Phase 2 emission norms, which came into effect from April 1st.
In an effort to cater to the needs of cab drivers, Maruti Suzuki recently launched the Alto Tour H1, a new version of the Alto K10.
Priced at Rs. 4.8 lakh, the Alto Tour H1 is specifically designed for cab drivers. It is available in both petrol and CNG variants, with the CNG version priced at Rs. 5.7 lakhs.
The decline in sales of the Maruti Alto raises questions about the changing preferences of car buyers and the impact of regulatory norms.
While Maruti Suzuki continues to dominate the market with its other models, the company will need to strategize to regain the popularity and sales figures once enjoyed by the Alto.
