Notwithstanding the slowing down demand for automobile sector in India, the iconic Maruti Alto regained the spot as the world’s highest selling small car.
The Alto was adjudged the world’s top selling car in 2010 and 2011 but lost out to Germany’s Volkswagen Gol sales in Brazil in 2012.
Produced by India’s largest car manufacturer (Maruti), the Alto has been the country’s favourite small car and has been the highest selling car domestically for the last nine years.
“A car emerging from India as the top selling small car of the world and that too, for the third time is a matter of great pride. It also shows growing attraction of Alto among customers as the most suitable car in the market. We are confident, Alto will continue to remain rule the game,” Mayank Pareek, Chief Operating Officer (Marketing & Sales) of Maruti Suzuki said.
Interestingly, the Mini segment in Maruti, which include the Alto, A-Star and WagonR saw a 9.60 per cent decline in February 2014 as the company sold 37,342 units when compared to 41,311 units in the same month last year.
But from April-February 2014, the Mini segment saw a 3 per cent increase as the company sold 3,95,947 units as against 3,84,522 units in the same period in the previous fiscal.
The Alto was launched in India as a replacement of another iconic car from Maruti’s stables; Maruti 800. The company continued to produce the 800 even after the launch of the Alto in 2000. However, in January 2014, the company stopped production of the 800 which had enjoyed its indomitable run for over 31 years after it was first launched in 1983. The 800 has reportedly sold over 2.5 million units during the time.
According to a statement by the company, the Alto has so far sold over 24.51 lakh units in the domestic market. It has sold 10 lakh units in the domestic market in just 8 years and 2 months since its launch as well as exported an additional 2.85 lakh units, it said.