Maruti Suzuki hits the 15-million mark for vehicles produced

Maruti Suzuki, India's No. 1 car maker with more than 50 per cent market share, on Tuesday said it has rolled out its 15 millionth vehicle in India. Naturally, it is the first car maker in India to achieve this milestone.

For perspective, the Indian market sold slightly more than 2.6 million vehicles in 2014/15. This includes cars, SUVs, MUVs and vans.

Maruti achieved this landmark in 31 years and five months of its existence in India, and across more than 10 models, beginning with the Maruti 800 in 1984. The brand that has seen maximum production is the Alto (including the K10) with 3.1 million units, followed by Maruti 800 (2.9 million units).

Fittingly, the 15 millionth vehicle was a Swift Dzire, the entry-level sedan that has given Maruti huge volumes and cemented its place at the top of the market (along with its twin, the hatchback Swift) despite rising competition.

The car maker took 10 years to sell its first million cars in India, and four years to go from 10 million to 15 million.

Going ahead, the company wants to sell 2 million vehicles per annum by 2020. Currently, it sells a little more than 1.1 million units a year. It will look to achieve this target once the new manufacturing facility in Gujarat - owned and run by a separate company called Suzuki Motor Gujarat, and owned by its parent Suzuki Motor Company - is commissioned.