Maruti Suzuki has announced that it will stay focused on the small car segment and will not venture back into the premium segment anytime soon. This future strategy was confirmed by Chairman RC Bhargava.
The Indo-Japanese automaker has said that it has made this decision as they feel that the Indian markets will continue to grow due to increased sales in the hotly contested small car segment. Maruti Suzuki is currently the market leaders in this segment and hope to remain so in the future.
“We will never go to the premium segment. Neither Maruti nor Suzuki (Corporation) will manufacture such cars. Small cars will remain the largest segment in India and our focus is to be a first-class player in this segment as that is our bread and butter,” Bhargava said.
Meanwhile, reports have also emerged saying that SMC will soon allow Maruti Suzuki to sell its cars in various overseas markets under its name as a low cost brand much like how Datsun is expected to emerge for the Renault-Nissan alliance.
At the moment, we do not have any plans to have assembly operations in foreign countries. But in the newer markets that we are looking to tap, Suzuki will not have a problem promoting the Maruti brand,” said RC Bhargava. “Eventually, cars will be sold under Maruti Suzuki brand name,” he added.
However, this is not the first time that Maruti vehicles will be sold globally. Before, Suzuki purchased a majority stake in MSIL (2001), Maruti Udyog use to export various models like the Gypsy, 800 and the Omni under its own brand name to countries like Hungary and Malta.
Source: Livemint & thehindubusinessline
