Mon Nov 11 19:53:50 UTC 2024: ## Maruti Suzuki Limits Sales of Safest Dzire to Private Buyers, Fleet Operators Get Older Model
**New Delhi, India** – Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., India’s largest carmaker, has announced a strategic decision to restrict sales of its newly launched and safest Dzire to private buyers. Fleet operators will continue to receive the previous generation model.
The move comes after the new Dzire achieved a five-star crash-test rating from Global NCAP, a first for Maruti Suzuki. The previous generation scored only two stars.
The decision to differentiate sales between private buyers and fleet operators is driven by the overwhelming popularity of the Dzire among taxi services. Two out of every three Dzire cars sold in India are used as taxis, with over 1.65 lakh units sold in Fiscal 2024 alone. Despite a slump in the wider automotive market, the Dzire continues to sell well, with over 75,000 units sold in the first six months of Fiscal 2025.
“We are targeting the private buyer (with the new Dzire),” said Hisashi Takeuchi, chief executive of Maruti Suzuki. “So, we will introduce this car to the private buyer and keep selling the previous generation to the fleet segment.”
The new Dzire boasts a range of safety features, including six airbags and 15 other safety features as standard, addressing concerns about the build quality of previous Maruti Suzuki cars.
Beyond safety, the new Dzire also introduces several firsts for the entry-level sedan category, including an electric sunroof, a 360-degree camera, and a real-time tyre pressure monitoring system. Priced starting at Rs 6.79 lakh, the new Dzire is available in four variants, two powertrains, two feature packs, and seven colors.
Maruti Suzuki, however, insists that their cars have always been safe, attributing criticism to social media frenzy. “For us, customer safety is paramount,” said Partho Banerjee, senior executive officer in-charge of sales and marketing at Maruti Suzuki. “Our cars are very safe, and meet all the regulations of the law of the land.”
The Dzire remains a strong performer, ranking as India’s fourth highest selling car of all time. Since its launch in 2008, Maruti Suzuki has shipped over 27 lakh Dzire units to both private buyers and fleet operators.
Following the announcement, Maruti Suzuki shares closed 0.86% higher on the BSE on Monday.
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