Written by Maruti Suzuki
Maruti Suzuki is India’s largest carmaker, and it has put millions of Indian families on the road since the Maruti 800 of 1983. This guide covers the current Maruti lineup, from the Alto K10 to the electric e Vitara, as well as the company’s history, ownership, biggest achievements and rally history.
Maruti Suzuki at a Glance
Founded 1981 As Maruti Udyog by the Government of India
Owner Suzuki Motor Corporation Holds about 58.5%
Headquarters New Delhi India
Sales FY2026 2,422,713 vehicles A record, including exports
Exports FY2026 447,774 vehicles India’s top car exporter for five years
Leadership Hisashi Takeuchi MD and CEO; R.C. Bhargava is chairman
Maruti Suzuki Model Lineup
In general, Maruti sells its cars through two dealer networks, Arena and the more premium Nexa. Therefore, the list below shows nine core models in 2026. In addition, the e Vitara shown above became Maruti’s first electric car in February 2026, while the Wagon R, Dzire and Grand Vitara remain big sellers.
Arena (5)
Small hatchback
Maruti Alto K10
Gas CNG
The Alto K10 is Maruti’s entry-level car. In fact, the Alto name has sold more than 4.7 million cars in India.
Hatchback
Maruti Swift
Gas CNG
Above all, the fourth-generation Swift launched in India in May 2024. Meanwhile, the Swift name has sold more than 3.2 million cars there since 2005.
Compact SUV
Maruti Brezza
Gas CNG
Meanwhile, the Brezza is one of India’s most popular compact SUVs. In addition, it was the first car built at the new Kharkhoda plant in 2025.
Seven-seat MPV
Maruti Ertiga
Gas CNG
The Ertiga is a seven-seat family MPV. Similarly, its premium twin, the XL6, is sold at Nexa dealers.
Mid-size SUV
Maruti Victoris
Gas CNG Hybrid
Finally, the Victoris launched in September 2025 as the top SUV at Arena dealers. As a result of its strong safety, it earned five stars from Bharat NCAP.
Nexa (4)
Premium hatchback
Maruti Baleno
Gas CNG
The Baleno is Nexa’s best-selling hatchback. Meanwhile, the current model arrived in 2022.
Crossover
Maruti Fronx
Gas Turbo CNG
Similarly, the Fronx is a coupe-style crossover based on the Baleno. In addition, it is exported to many countries.
Mid-size SUV
Maruti Grand Vitara
Gas Strong hybrid AWD
Above all, the Grand Vitara arrived in 2022 with a strong hybrid option. Similarly, Toyota sells a version as the Urban Cruiser Hyryder.
Five-door off-roader
Maruti Jimny
Gas 4×4
In fact, the five-door Jimny is built only in Gurugram. As a result, it is exported to about 100 countries, including Japan since 2025.
What Is Maruti Suzuki?
Maruti Udyog was set up by the Government of India in 1981, and it formed a joint venture with Suzuki in 1982. Then its first car, the Maruti 800, was handed to its first owner in December 1983. Soon after, it changed how Indians travelled.
Later, Suzuki took majority control in 2002, and the company listed on the stock market in 2003. In 2007 it was renamed Maruti Suzuki India. In addition, it opened its premium Nexa dealer network in 2015.
Today Maruti Suzuki is India’s largest carmaker, with about 39% of the market. It sold a record 2,422,713 vehicles in the 2026 financial year, and it is also India’s largest car exporter.
Maruti Suzuki History
Maruti Suzuki grew from a government project into India’s biggest carmaker.
- 1981 First, Maruti Udyog is founded by the Government of India.
- 1982 Then Suzuki becomes a partner in the company.
- 1983 The first Maruti 800 is delivered.
- 1985 The Gypsy goes on sale.
- 2000 Later, the Alto is launched.
- 2002 Suzuki takes majority control.
- 2005 The Swift arrives in India.
- 2007 Meanwhile, the company is renamed Maruti Suzuki India.
- 2015 The premium Nexa dealer network opens.
- 2020 Maruti stops selling diesel cars.
- 2024 After that, the new Dzire becomes the first Maruti with a five-star Global NCAP rating.
- 2025 The Kharkhoda plant starts production, and e Vitara exports begin.
- 2026 Finally, the e Vitara goes on sale in India.
Iconic Maruti Models
These four cars shaped the story of Maruti Suzuki, from the Maruti 800 to the Alto.
1983–2014
Maruti 800
City car About 2.87 million built
Above all, the 800 was the car that put India on wheels. In fact, about 2.87 million were built before production ended in 2014.
1984
Maruti Omni
Van
Later, the Omni was a small, boxy van used as a taxi, school bus and family car. As a result, it became one of India’s best-known vehicles.
1985
Maruti Gypsy
4×4 Army vehicle
The Gypsy was a tough four-wheel-drive. Meanwhile, it became a favorite of the Indian Army and of rally drivers.
2000
Maruti Alto
City car Best seller
Meanwhile, the Alto was India’s best-selling car for 16 years in a row. In addition, more than 4.7 million have been sold in India.
Who Owns Maruti Suzuki?
Maruti Suzuki is a listed Indian company, and Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corporation owns about 58.5% of it. When AutoGathering has a page for a brand, its name below links to that page.
Parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation Hamamatsu, Japan · about 58.5%
This page Maruti Suzuki India Ltd New Delhi, India · NSE / BSE
Plant Gurugram First plant, since 1983
Plant Manesar Opened in 2007
Plant Hansalpur, Gujarat Builds the e Vitara
Plant Kharkhoda Opened in 2025
Partners
Maruti works closely with Suzuki and Toyota.
- Suzuki (Japanese parent company)
- Toyota (shares models such as the Grand Vitara and Hyryder)
In addition, Suzuki Motor Gujarat, which ran the Hansalpur plant, merged into Maruti Suzuki in December 2025.
Former owners
- Government of India (1981–2007) The government founded Maruti Udyog and sold its remaining shares to Suzuki by 2007.
Maruti Suzuki Accomplishments
The record of Maruti Suzuki rests on huge sales, exports and some of India’s best-loved cars.
30 million
Cars sold in India
Above all, Maruti passed 30 million domestic sales in November 2025, after 42 years.
2,422,713
Sales in FY2026
This was a record, including exports.
447,774
Exports in FY2026
In addition, Maruti has been India’s top car exporter for five years in a row.
16 years
Alto at No. 1
The Alto was India’s best-selling car for 16 years in a row.
5 stars
Dzire safety
For example, in 2024 the Dzire became the first Maruti with a five-star Global NCAP rating.
700,000+
CNG cars in FY2026
In fact, Maruti offers one of the widest ranges of CNG cars in India.
9
Raid de Himalaya wins
Similarly, Suresh Rana won the Maruti Suzuki Raid de Himalaya nine times.
2.87 million
Maruti 800s built
Finally, the 800 was built for more than 30 years.
Maruti Racing History
Maruti Suzuki is known in Indian motorsport for the Gypsy rally car and for its own rally events. In addition, Maruti ran the Raid de Himalaya, Desert Storm and Dakshin Dare rallies, where drivers such as Suresh Rana won many times.
Indian rallying
Maruti Gypsy rally car
Raid de Himalaya South India Rally
In fact, the Gypsy was a favorite rally car in India from the late 1980s. As a result, it was a common sight in events such as the South India Rally.
Talk Maruti With Other Owners
Maruti owners have plenty to share, whether it is a classic 800, a Gypsy or a new e Vitara. Soon, AutoGathering will connect this page to a Maruti community space where owners and enthusiasts can compare models, share tips and plan meetups.
- Swift and Baleno
- Brezza and Fronx
- Grand Vitara and Victoris
- Jimny off-roading
- CNG cars
- e Vitara and EVs
- Classic 800 and Gypsy
- Maintenance and servicing
Maruti Suzuki FAQ
Who owns Maruti Suzuki?
Maruti Suzuki is a listed Indian company, and Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corporation owns about 58.5% of it.
Is Maruti Suzuki the same as Suzuki?
No. Maruti Suzuki is Suzuki’s Indian subsidiary, but it is a separate company listed in India.
Where are Maruti cars made?
In general, Maruti builds its cars at Gurugram, Manesar and Kharkhoda in Haryana, and at Hansalpur in Gujarat.
What was the first Maruti car?
The Maruti 800, delivered to its first owner, Harpal Singh, in December 1983.
What is the best-selling Maruti?
The Alto is the best-selling Maruti, with more than 4.7 million sold in India.
Does Maruti make electric cars?
Yes. The e Vitara went on sale in India in February 2026, with up to 543 km of claimed range.
What is Nexa?
Nexa is Maruti’s premium dealer network, launched in 2015, which sells models such as the Baleno and Grand Vitara.
Does Maruti still sell diesel cars?
No. Maruti stopped selling diesel cars in 2020 and now focuses on gas, CNG and hybrid models.
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Photo credits
- Header image: IXTA9839, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Silver Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 hatchback: Vis M, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Silver fourth-generation Suzuki Swift: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Blue 2022 Maruti Suzuki Baleno Alpha: Milind Kwatra, CC BY 3.0, cropped and resized.
- Gray Suzuki Fronx crossover: TTTNIS, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Red 2022 Maruti Suzuki Brezza: DriveSpark, CC BY 3.0, cropped and resized.
- White 2022 Maruti Suzuki Ertiga MPV: Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith, Public domain, cropped and resized.
- White 2022 Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: Siddharth Antre, CC BY 3.0, cropped and resized.
- Blue Maruti Suzuki Victoris SUV on display: TTTNIS, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Suzuki Jimny five-door at an auto show: Dzaky Apri V, CC BY 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White Maruti 800 city car: Navas Puthanazhi, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Blue first-generation Maruti Omni van: Aditya Oberai, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 1992 Maruti Gypsy four-wheel-drive: order_242 from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped and resized.
- Silver Maruti Suzuki Alto 800: RL GNZLZ from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped and resized.
- Maruti Gypsy in the 1989 South India…: Race27, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.