Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has set a target to achieve what they call as ‘Vision 2.0’. Basically, this aim of theirs is to achieve sales of two million units annually by the end of this decade.
In order to achieve this target, the company plans to setup a new plant in Gujarat (image above), which is expected to start production by 2017, and launch 15 new cars. Apart from this, they will also increase their dealer network to more cities and villages.
Considering that India’s majority of the population resides in its 6.5 lakh villages, the car maker has plans to expand their reach more in villages, than in the cities. Maruti first started focusing seriously on villages of India back in 2012-13. That year they managed to sell 43,000 cars. The next year, they sold 94,000 cars. In 2014/15, their sales in villages crossed 1.25 lakh units. And now, for 2015-16, the company is confident that sales will cross 1.5 lakh units.
To be slotted in between the Swift and Ciaz, Maruti Baleno will rival the Volkswagen Polo and Hyundai i20.MSIL sold 1.3 million units in the fiscal ended 31st March 2015. They now wish to see a double digit growth through the current fiscal. The sales growth will be fuelled by updating their current line-up and launching new products, which will offer best in class fuel efficiency and low cost of ownership.
Next in line for India launch is the new Baleno hatchback (26th October reportedly), which was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show last week. Made in India, this is a global car. It will be sold in Europe and many South East Asian countries, including Japan.
Besides increasing sales in the country, increase in global sales are also being aimed. This is where the new Baleno will help Maruti extensively. Currently, Maruti accounts for Suzuki’s 40% global sales. By 2020, this figure will increase to 60%.
