The Alto still holds the record of the first Made-in-India automobile as the largest-selling small car in the world of this century. Launched on September 27, 2000, it soon became the company’s—and India’s—best-selling car, clocking 26,4,492 units in 2014-15, retaining its numero uno position for the 10th year in a row. The hatchback crossed the one million production figure in February 2008, becoming the third Maruti model to cross the million mark in India after the 800 and Maruti Omni. For fuel-conscious Indians, it gave a mileage of 18 kmpl and had a top speed of 137 kmph.
A newer version called the Alto 800 was launched on October 16, 2012. By 2010, the Alto and the Alto 800 were being phased out—much like the iconic Maruti 800—to clear the road for the Alto K10. It was launched in November 2014. For the first question that Indian buyers ask, the K10 has an astounding answer: 24.06 kmpl. It also comes in an automatic variant, which the earlier Altos did not have.