Thirty years ago, on this very day, the keys to a special little car, the first Maruti 800, were handed over to Harpal Singh by the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. From a company that materialised purely through a twist of fate, to becoming India’s largest carmaker, it has been a theatrical ride for Maruti. Here are some lesser known facts about Maruti Udyog Limited – the company that revolutionised the Indian auto industry and ingrained the ‘sapna’ of car ownership in the minds of the middle-class Indian.
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In 1970, a company called 'Maruti technical services private limited' (MTSPL) was launched and its purpose was to provide technical know-how for the design, manufacture and assembly of "a wholly indigenous motorcar".
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In 1982, Suzuki bought 26 percent equity into the company for around USD 20.8 million.
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In 1983, the original Maruti 800 was priced at Rs 48,000 but customers were willing to pay more than Rs 1 lakh for this new ‘futuristic’ car.
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The original plan of the Indian government didn’t feature a small car at all. It was only after a visit to the Tokyo motor show by MUL’s top management that they zeroed in on a small car for India.
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Suzuki was not even considered while shortlisting for a carmaker to partner with Maruti Udyog Limited. It was by pure chance that a senior director at Suzuki happened to read an article on an imminent Daihatsu-Maruti tie-up in India Today while on a domestic flight in India, which brought Suzuki into the fray. Continued..