Maruti Suzuki India has announced that it has surpassed the cumulative export milestone of 2.5 million made-in-India cars and SUVs. The landmark achievement comes 36 years after the company began shipping its made-in-India passenger vehicles (PVs) in FY1987.
- Maruti is ahead of Hyundai by 83,991 units in first 11 months of FY2023
- First Maruti cars were exported to Hungary in 1987
- Africa, Latin America, Asia, Middle East key export markets
Maruti export story: how did it all begin?
The first big consignment of 500 made-in-India Maruti Suzuki cars was shipped to Hungary in September 1987, followed by exports to neighbouring markets like Bangladesh and Nepal. With support from parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation, the carmaker gradually expanded its presence to other countries and now it exports its passenger vehicles to nearly 100 countries. Key export markets for Maruti Suzuki are Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.
Grand Vitara SUV is the latest Maruti to be exported
Maruti Suzuki currently exports 17 made-in-India cars and SUVs with the Grand Vitara being the latest to join that portfolio. The first lot of the Grand Vitara SUVs was shipped to Latin America from Kamarajar Port in January 2023. The company plans to export the Grand Vitara to over 60 countries across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, ASEAN and neighbouring regions. At present, the Maruti Suzuki models with the highest export demand are the Dzire sedan, the Swift, S-Presso and Baleno hatchbacks, and the Brezza SUV.
India’s top car exporter for second-year running
India’s passenger vehicle market leader has maintained a strong export performance over the past three years, which is reflected in its export market domination. In CY2022, Maruti Suzuki India achieved its best-ever overseas shipments in a calendar year: 2,63,068 units, up 28 percent (CY2021: 2,05,450 units), surpassing the 2,00,000-units mark for the second consecutive year.
With just days left for FY2023 to come to a close and March 2023 export numbers yet to be revealed, Maruti Suzuki is clearly the PV export leader for the second year running. At 2,26,110 units in the April 2022 to February 2023 period, the company is 83,991 units ahead of Hyundai Motor India, which has shipped 1,42,119 units in the first 11 months of FY2023.
Upcoming Maruti Suzuki launches
The next two launches from Maruti Suzuki will be the much-awaited Jimny and the Fronx SUVs, with both hitting Nexa outlets in the coming months. Additionally, more model introductions like an all-new MPV based on the Toyota Innova Hycross is also in the works, and will launch a little later.
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