SUVs Are Top Priority, Says Maruti Suzuki MD; Eyes Premium, Entry Models

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) has placed SUVs at the centre of its growth strategy. Managing Director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi described them as the company’s “top priority” and stressed the need to “fix the problem quickly” of its relatively lower share in the segment.

SUVs currently account for 28 percent of Maruti Suzuki’s overall sales. The company already leads in the compact SUV segment with the Brezza and Fronx, but now wants to challenge Hyundai’s Creta in the mid-size SUV category, which makes up nearly 9 lakh units annually, or about 40 percent of the SUV market.

The priority now has to be given to SUVs. Because if we have 20 plus models in the mid-size SUV segment and almost 20 models in the compact SUV segment, that is our priority. Now we have to fix this problem quickly,” Takeuchi said.

Alongside its mid-size SUV push, Maruti Suzuki also evaluates a move upmarket. “Over 4.5-metre SUV is becoming a decent market size. Definitely, we have to have one in this segment. We are talking about this and we are studying,” he added.

While small cars remain the company’s core strength, Takeuchi underlined that the next phase of growth will hinge on SUV success. “Small car is our core business. But the key is how much success we can get from the SUV segment. If we can improve our market share from 40% to 41% or 42%, gradually 50% is a very high target. We’d like to achieve, but it can’t be achieved so quickly,” he noted.

Maruti Suzuki is also preparing to broaden its portfolio with a sub-compact SUV aimed at first-time buyers, expected to debut in 2026–27. In parallel, the company is studying a wider range of hybrid technologies — including strong hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and range extenders — to align with global trends. “We are studying all those possibilities and different technologies as well. These are becoming increasingly popular in China, Europe, and everywhere else. Definitely, we have to have one for India as well,” Takeuchi said. (with inputs from Yukta Mudgal)