The Maruti Alto has become India’s best selling model with a cumulative 29 lakh units sold over the past 15 years, taking over from the now discontinued M800.
Adding another feather to its hat, Maruti Suzuki achieved a new milestone as the Alto has become India’s best selling vehicle with cumulative sales of 29 lakh units clocked in the past 15 years. Certainly a fine record to hold, the entry-level hatchback beat the iconic M800 that previously held this title before being phased out in 2014. Launched in 2000, the Alto managed to achieve the stupendous feat within 15 years, when compared to the M800 that managed around 28 lakh units over its 30-year lifespan.
As on October 2015, sales for the Maruti Alto had reached 29,19,819 units in India. Always been a strong seller, the entry-level hatchback was essentially the next generation 800 but sold alongside the latter for the majority of its life in the country. Undoubtedly, the Alto very capably carries the baton from the 800 as a people’s car offering the same attributes of high fuel efficiency, low cost of maintenance and affordable asking price.
Over its 15 year journey, the Maruti Alto has been drawing power from an 800cc engine which received several upgrades over the years. Keeping up with the customer’s need for more power, a more vigorous Alto K10 was also introduced in 2010 with a slightly powerful 1000cc engine offering decent improvement in performance and optimal fuel economy levels. In 2012, Maruti Suzuki overhauled the Alto 800 completely with the all-new taller, spacious and modern version.
Back in 1983, the Maruti M800 redefined the affordable personal vehicle for the Indian middle-class car buyer who wanted to upgrade to a four-wheeler without burning a hole in his/her pocket. The small Japanese hatchback wasn’t just for the affluent and instead has been a representation of the Indian dream of owning a car. In modern times, the Alto has been able to take that dream forward and quite successfully soldiers on to do so. The more recent updates on the vehicle have also seen Maruti revamp the model in terms of features, keeping up with the new and improved competition.
