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Top 25 Facts about Maruti and its Flagship Model 'M 800'

Today, when Maruti completes 25 glorious years in the Indian car industry, it feels proud and honoured to glimpse back to the automotive history. The remembrance of Maruti's old days is synonymous with the launch of its little fuel-efficient car, Maruti 800, a car that had actually put India on wheels. It is well tagged as a cultural icon and a social symbol that holds the complete credit for the position, recognition, and value Maruti holds today.

India's adorable small car Maruti 800 has revolutionized the Indian auto industry with its incredible performance and reliability. Since the day, the car was first launched in 1983, it has brought the joy of motoring to millions of people across the length and breadth of the country. Speeding across economic and social barriers, the tiny M800 has imprinted its name in golden words on the pages of the Indian automotive history.

Unveiled below are the top 25 facts about the car and the company that has given a new face to the Indian car industry:

The initiation of the “people’s car” idea happened in1970s when Sanjay Gandhi was awarded a contract to build a people’s car. Unfortunately, the car never went into production. Maruti Udyog Limited was then struggling for its existence.
The company was revived in 1980 after the death of Sanjay Gandhi and V. Krishnamurthy was designated as the first chairman.
Maruti in association with the Indian Oil Petrol Stations launched a road show across the nation for introducing its Maruti 800 concept.
Excitingly, the journey between the concept and production of M800 was very small. Maruti took only 13 months to go from the design to production of the 800.
After persistent efforts and strong determination, MUL launched its first passenger car, christened as '800' on December 14, 1983.
The first M800 was sold to Harpal Singh at a cost price of Rs 48,000. The lucky car owner received the keys from the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The first 800 rolled out from the production lines was actually Suzuki’s SS80 which was known as the Fronte in Japan and Alto in other international car markets. The car was powered with a 796 cc three-cylinder engine that generated 39.5 bhp at 5500 rpm.
The old Maruti was then rejuvenated in 1986 with an additional cost price of Rs 15,000. This facelifted version of the 800 came with a air conditioner and music system.
In the first year (1984) of production, M800 witnessed sales of 852 units, the sales increased to 20,269 units between 1985-86 and reached 31,314 units.
After the car was revamped with a completely new look, it experienced sales of about 52,344 units in1986.
The first export of Maruti 800 began in 1987. It is said that during this period almost 500 cars were exported to Hungary. Later, it was also exported to South East Asia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and South America.
The M800 was India’s largest selling passenger car that witnessed accelerated growth with escalating sales every year. The car sales soared from about 63,763 units in 1987 to about 1, 89,061 units in 1999.

However, in 1997 the 800 was again introduced with a new jelly bean shape that was nostalgic and not appreciated by the Indian car buyers.
In the year 1999, the car was again revamped to meet the emission norms. It was then given new engine technology powered with a multi-point fuel injection system comprising gas charged shock absorbers and coil spring suspension. This next generation 800 was named as Maruti 800 EX.
Though the revamped version of the car was more efficient than the traditional M800, the car gradually lost its sales value. Other car manufacturers like the General Motors, Ford, and Tata entered the market with and to gave tough competition to Maruti.
In 2002, the company launched a special edition of the M800 to entice car buyers at a time when many other car manufacturers had made their entry in the country. This special edition was India’s first colour-coordinated car.
Inspite of the entry of special edition, the sales of Maruti 800 went down drastically from 1, 51,976 units in the year 2000 to about 69,553 units in 2007.
Pacing ahead with changing interests and aspirations of the car buyers, Maruti introduced '800 Duo' on the occasion of World Environment Day in 2008. The Duo version is powered with two engine technologies, refined petrol engine, and a factory fitted LPG kit. The two engines can be switched over in accordance to the requirements of the driver.
The year 2008 has also witnessed the launch of another facelifted version of the 800, Maruti 800 Uniq. This special edition adorned with cosmetic changes and alluring features have redefined the first 800 rolled out in 1983.
Though the Uniq is distinctive in its style and appearance, it failed to lure car buyers who are now attracted by high end luxuries in small car.
The 800 today is beaten heavily by a large number of small cars including the Hyundai i10, Maruti Suzuki Alto, Maruti Suzuki Swift, and the Chevrolet Spark. With such a high competitive small car market, the sales of 800 had further reduced. The fiscal year 2008-09 experienced sales of only 11,288 units.
Maruti launched the SX4 model in India before even introducing it to Japanese or European market.
Suzuki sells more number of cars in India compared to its home country, Japan.
Since the first launch in 1983, Maruti has rejoiced total sales of about 25, 20,020 units of 800s till date.
Presently, the Maruti 800 is known to be the cheapest car in the world.

Today, when Maruti completes 25 years of an preeminent history, the company owes its success, prestige, and honour to its tiny M800.