Maruti Suzuki’s cumulative exports cross 15 lakh mark

Maruti Suzuki today announced its cumulative exports have crossed the 15 lakh mark. The automaker started exports to Europe in 1987-88 and has gradually added more names to the list of its export markets since then.

Then too there was the Maruti Zen and Maruti 800 in the '90s, followed by the now-discontinued Maruti A-Star. The Alto brand also has a sizeable presence in the export markets, having clocked over 3,90,000 sales cumulatively. And earlier this year, the made-in-India Maruti Suzuki Baleno became the first car to be exported from India to Japan.

Kenichi Ayukawa, managing director and chief executive of Maruti Suzuki, said, "We are happy to reach the 1.5 million milestone for our exports. Maruti Suzuki has consistently maintained a presence in international markets, regularly offering new products and reaching out to new countries. Our products like Zen, A-Star, Maruti 800 and Alto have made a mark overseas, including in the most competitive markets of Europe. Our premium hatchback Baleno, made exclusively in India, is the first car to be exported from India to Japan. It has become a symbol of the Make in India mission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and taken India's exports story to a new level."

Currently, the company exports a myriad of vehicles to over 100 countries including in Europe, Latin America, and Africa. In 2015-16, Maruti Suzuki Alto, Swift, Celerio, Baleno, and Ciaz were among the top five exported models for the company.

Where export destinations are concerned, Sri Lanka, Chile, the Philippines, Peru, and Bolivia emerged as the top markets for Maruti Suzuki's models. Additionally, Super Carry, the recently launched light commercial vehicle, is also exported to South Africa and Tanzania. The Maruti Suzuki LCV will also be exported to SAARC countries in the future.