Maruti sees CNG moving beyond value buyers as demand spreads across segments

Maruti Suzuki believes factory-fitted CNG vehicles have entered a new phase of growth, with demand expanding well beyond traditional value-conscious buyers to include customers in higher-priced segments.

Speaking to Autocar India, Partho Banerjee, senior executive officer for sales and marketing at Maruti Suzuki India, said CNG is no longer being chosen only for lower running costs. Improvements in vehicle packaging, performance and overall convenience have made it a mainstream choice across a wider demographic.

CNG not seen as a compromise anymore, says Banerjee

“Earlier, if a customer was opting for CNG, the perception was that he was trying to reduce the running cost. Now, with the underbody CNG, the profile of customers is changing. It has become an aspirational product,” Banerjee said.

A key driver has been the introduction of the underbody CNG tank, which frees up boot space while maintaining the driving experience. According to Banerjee, customers no longer feel they are making a compromise by choosing CNG over conventional fuels.

Maruti’s underbody CNG kit has helped improve the practicality of its CNG vehicles.

“You do not feel a difference when you drive it. You are not losing boot space, and at the same time, you are reducing your total cost of ownership,” he added.

Nearly 50 percent of overall Victoris demand is for CNG variants

Maruti says the response has been particularly strong for the Victoris midsize SUV, where nearly 50 percent of overall demand is now driven by the CNG variants.

“The acceptance of underbody CNG in Victoris has been phenomenal. We are not able to meet the demand. Almost 50 percent of the vehicles now have underbody CNG,” stated Banerjee.

The Victoris currently outsells its Nexa sibling, the Grand Vitara.

The surge in interest comes as India’s overall passenger vehicle market sees rapid adoption of alternate fuels. In FY2026, CNG-powered passenger vehicles crossed the 10-lakh annual sales milestone, accounting for nearly 22 percent of total domestic PV sales and cementing CNG as the country’s second-largest fuel choice.

Maruti targets 9 lakh CNG vehicle sales in current fiscal

To capitalise on this momentum, Maruti Suzuki, which currently holds a portfolio of 15 factory-fitted CNG models, is aiming to sell 9 lakh CNG vehicles in the current fiscal, representing a 30 percent growth year on year. This follows a strong first quarter in which CNG dispatches surged 58 percent to 2.2 lakh units.

The company is also seeing demand emerge in non-traditional pockets where CNG refuelling infrastructure is still developing. Banerjee cited dealer feedback, suggesting that buyers in expanding markets are securing CNG models ahead of local station rollouts, opting to run on petrol in the interim.

He added that greater awareness around fuel price volatility and expanding CNG infrastructure are supporting the shift. “If the product meets customer expectations, offers good drivability, lower running costs and the infrastructure is improving, there is no harm in switching from petrol to CNG,” remarked Banerjee.