Maruti eyes higher sales of automatics

Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest car maker by sales, aims to more than triple the sale volume of cars with two-pedal technology in the next three years.

Since 2014-15, Maruti has been doubling the sale of cars with two-pedal technology every year. The company sold 94,736 units with this technology during the last fiscal.

“Our effort has been to offer atleast one of the technologies in each offering. Our mission is to double the AGS contribution from the current levels approximately and achieve three-lakh mark by 2020,” said Mr C.V. Raman, executive director (engineering), Maruti Suzuki.

Currently, there are three two-pedal technology used in the cars — Auto Gear Shift, continuously variable transmission (CVT) or auto transmission (AT).

In February 2014, Maruti Suzuki introduced AGS with hatchback Celerio, making it the first ever vehicle equipped with this technology in the country. Till date, Celerio AMT vehicles contribute over 60 per cent to total Celerio sales.

In Maruti Suzuki portfolio, the two-pedal technologies include Auto Gear Shift in Celerio, Wagon R, Alto K-10, Ignis and now DZIRE, while CVT is offered in Baleno and AT in Ciaz and Ertiga. The volumes have grown from 32,426 in FY 14-15 to 56,968 in FY 15-16 to 94,736 in FY 2016-17.

Speaking about the reason behind the emphasis on this technology, he said, “Our objective is to expand the two-pedal technologies that bring comfort and ease of driving to the customers. Going forward, Maruti Suzuki’s endeavour is to bring one of the twopedal technologies to its models, across segments in some form.”

With AGS having a fuel efficiency and price point which almost match manual transmission, Mr Raman said the sale of cars with two pedal technology is gaining traction.

IN FEBRUARY 2014, Maruti Suzuki introduced AGS with hatchback Celerio, making it the first ever vehicle equipped with this technology in the country