Even as Maruti Suzuki India continues to maintain its stranglehold over the passenger vehicle market, its entry vehicle into the small commercial vehicle (SCV) market – the Super Carry – is beginning to see sales pick up, albeit slowly. Nonetheless, the number is below what the company must have expected after over two years in the domestic market. In September 2018, the Super Carry clocked its best-ever monthly sales yet – 2,038 units. Its previous best was in August 2018 – 1,805 units. Till end-September 2018, a total of 21,372 Super Carrys have been sold in India.

Launched in August 2016, it was expected the 793cc, diesel-engined Super Carry would immediately make a strong connect with SCV buyers, riding on Maruti’s USP of affordability, quality aftersales and the company’s mass-market appeal. The company too stepped gingerly into the CV field, rolling out the Super Carry initially in only three markets – Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Ludhiana – at a price of Rs 401,000, with plans to gradually expand across the country.

Maruti Suzuki has invested about Rs 300 crore in the Super Carry project. The LCV is powered by a 793cc lightweight and compact two-cylinder diesel engine, which develops peak power of 32bhp at 3500rpm and max torque of 75 NM at 2000rpm. The vehicle, which has a five-speed manual transmission, delivers fuel efficiency of 22.07 kilometres per litre and has a maximum speed of 80kph. Its payload is 740kg in all terrain.  Other product highlights are a 2110mm wheelbase, a lower loading bay and wider deck that offers ample loading space to carry higher loads in a single trip. The Super Carry is offered with a warranty of 2 years / 72,000km.

Competition in the 2T mini-truck segment has increased also because overall numbers are reducing with buyers favoring higher-tonnage vehicles of up to 3.5T to meet the boom in last-mile delivery.

Maruti issues recall for 640 Super Carrys
Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki India today announced a voluntarily recall for 640 Super Carry vehicles to inspect for a possible defect in fuel pump assembly. These vehicles have been manufactured between January 20, 2018 and July 14, 2018. Recall campaigns are undertaken globally to rectify faults that may be potential safety defects.

Starting today, the company says owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by Maruti Suzuki dealers for inspection and replacement of the faulty part free of cost.