Latest news with #ParthoBanerjee
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Maruti Suzuki raises bar on safety, unveils new advanced features across entire portfolio
Maruti Suzuki cars have often been accused of coming with lack of focus on safety. While Tata Motors and Mahindr a have been introducing passenger vehicles with high scores at Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP, many criticised Maruti Suzuki for not doing enough to ramp up the safety quotient of its cars. Currently, the only five-star NCAP-rated car in its lineup is the new generation Maruti Suzuki Dzire . Now, the carmaker has claimed that as part of its commitment to safer mobility, the OEM has introduced a series of advanced safety features across its product portfolio under the newly introduced Nexa Safety Shield and Arena Safety Shield initiatives. Maruti Suzuki claims that Safety Shield packages across Nexa and Arena models include six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP with Hill Hold Assist, reverse parking systems, three-point ELR seat belts and seat belt reminder, ISOFIX child anchorages, and pedestrian impact protection. Maruti Suzuki has started offering some advanced technology-aided features in its cars in recent times. Some of these features include a 360-degree camera, heads-up display, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, front parking assist, and the Level 2 ADAS. Maruti Suzuki's Senior Executive Officer (Marketing and Sales), Partho Banerjee, said that safety has always been a strategic priority for the auto company. "In FY 2024-25, we made significant strides in enhancing vehicle safety, with features like Electronic Stability Program (ESP) now standard across all models, and six airbags introduced as standard in 14 models," he said while adding that the dual-channel Safety Shield rollout reflects the company's aim to anticipate evolving customer needs and deliver technologically advanced solutions that inspire confidence on the road. "We are the first company to introduce six airbags in more than 140 variants. It's a mammoth job, which we have done. Generally, the perception was that Maruti vehicles are safe or not. Today, we have showcased that it's not only the six airbags, but there are more than that, including the active and the passive safety features, which comprise the Arena Safety Shield and the Nexa Safety Shield. We are offering one of the best safety standard vehicles, and the so-called doubts that are there in the minds of the consumers just need to be taken off," he reportedly told ANI. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2025, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date:
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Nexa turns 10: How Maruti Suzuki built a premium segment to retain customers
When Maruti Suzuki launched Nexa in July 2015, the reaction from industry watchers was mixed. The country's largest carmaker — long associated with small, value-for-money hatchbacks — was venturing into a space it had rarely played in: premium retail. It was a calculated gamble, but also a tacit admission that the Indian car buyer had changed. Maruti Suzuki's Nexa turned 10 years old in July 2025. The Nexa retail channel allowed the carmaker to retain its customers, providing buyers an opportunity to transition from entry models into upgrading their vehicles within the company with a sophisticated with a differentiated retail experience. R.C. Bhargava, the chairman who has seen Maruti through liberalisation, localisation, and competition, has often said that the company's job is to read the market before it shifts. A decade ago, the writing was on the wall: customers were willing to spend more, and their expectations were changing. Incomes were rising, finance was easier, and first-time buyers were no longer content with bare-bones mobility. Yet, the move was not without risk. Maruti's great strength was its ubiquity — 'India comes home to Maruti" was more than an ad line. By creating a separate premium channel, there was always the danger of confusing that core identity. Also Read : Maruti Suzuki sees compact car uptick in July amid structural stress in entry segment From ₹ 4 lakh to ₹ 16 lakh — riding India's affluence wave In the last decade, the average price of a new car in India has risen sharply. It is not just inflation — it is a shift in what customers want: larger vehicles, better features, and higher perceived value. The once-dominant sub- ₹5 lakh hatchback segment has steadily shrunk, replaced by compact SUVs and feature-packed sedans. Maruti has moved in step with this trend. Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer- Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki, put it plainly in a recent roundtable, 'When we started, the average price point was around ₹4 lakh. We moved to ₹8 lakh, and now it's ₹15–16 lakh. As our customers move up, we move up." The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is claimed to have the most affluent customer base in the mid size SUV segment This is the space Nexa was designed to capture. The Grand Vitara, for instance, is attracting some of the most affluent customers Maruti has ever served — buyers who, as Banerjee says, 'do not have the 'look at me' character" but value understated sophistication. The company has always believed that a customer who starts with an Alto or similar entry model will, over time, want to upgrade — and if Maruti cannot offer that next car, they will find it elsewhere. Nexa is Maruti's way of keeping those customers within its fold. The Nexa philosophy — premium, but on Maruti's terms From day one, Nexa's positioning was clear: exclusive, premium, sophisticated — but not luxury. Maruti Suzuki has been careful not to drift into a niche where volumes would be sacrificed for image. The company believes that its job is not to make products for a few thousand customers. The challenge is to give a premium without losing scale. The Baleno, launched through Nexa, was pitched not as just another hatchback, but as a 'premium hatchback," creating a new mental category. The Ciaz offered near-D-segment space at a C-segment price. The Grand Vitara and Invicto now push the brand into ₹20 lakh territory, but with localisation and shared development keeping costs competitive. Banerjee's view is straightforward: 'It's not the product's fault when it doesn't sell, it's about positioning." Also Read : Farewell Ciaz? Maruti Suzuki hints at a possible revival in a new form Arena vs Nexa — coexisting without cannibalisation Managing two distinct retail networks is no small feat. Arena, with its vibrant colours and approachable atmosphere, caters to first-time and budget-conscious buyers. Nexa, with its subdued tones and concierge-style service, appeals to those upgrading. The results suggest that the strategy works. When Baleno launched, many expected it to eat into Swift sales. It didn't. The same fears were voiced when the Fronx arrived — would it hurt Brezza? It didn't. Maruti Suzuki says that while Arena cars such as the Brezza offer a playful vibe, models like the Fronx that is retailed through the Nexa channel, offer a more sophisticated image Bhargava has often emphasised that segmentation is not just about price points, but about understanding the buyer's mindset. Still, as the top-end Arena models creep into entry-level Nexa territory in pricing, keeping the two channels distinct will require constant vigilance. Innovation with intent, safety with urgency Maruti has long been accused of lagging in safety. Bhargava himself has been forthright in saying that regulations must reflect what the mass buyer can afford. But even he acknowledges that the market has shifted. 'If customers are willing to pay for more safety, we will provide it," he told this writer in 2019. Maruti Suzuki has decisively raised the bar on vehicle safety, marking a significant milestone with the launch of the NEXA Safety Shield and Arena Safety Shield, unveiled to coincide with the 10th anniversary of its premium retail network. Banerjee describes safety not merely as a principle but rather a strategic pillar of the more significant overall company framework, which, in FY 2024-25, started its initiatives sooner than legally mandated. A significant milestone is the standardisation of Electronic Stability Program (ESP) across models, and the rollout of six airbags as standard fitment for 14 variants. This supports Maruti Suzuki's aim of safely making advanced safety technologies accessible to people in the whole vehicle passenger space, right from lower-end hatchbacks and up through higher-end SUVs. This effort is supported by heavy investment in R&D, including the ₹3,800 crore state-of-the-art facility in Rohtak, where more than 50 crash tests per model authenticate the company's stringent safety procedures. The all-new Dzire's status as India's first sedan to receive a 5-star BNCAP rating, along with the Baleno's 4-star rating are a part of this drive. Apart from car design, the company's holistic strategy covers road safety learning and emergency treatment, demonstrating a wide-ranging perspective combining technology, customer confidence, and social stewardship in a changing automotive environment. The road ahead In many ways, Nexa reflects the company's core philosophy: adapt without losing your base. The carmaker has argued that it must be present in every relevant segment of the market, but never at the cost of becoming a boutique player. For Maruti Suzuki, Nexa is not about chasing German luxury brands. It is about making sure that a customer who enters the Maruti family at the entry level can stay within the brand at the premium scale as well. A decade in, Nexa accounts for nearly one-third of Maruti's sales. It has reshaped perceptions of the brand, brought in more affluent buyers, and given Maruti a credible presence in segments once left to rivals. The bigger achievement, however, may be that Maruti has managed to go premium without alienating its mass base. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date:
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Public charging infrastructure crucial for faster EV adoption in India: Maruti Suzuki
The path to mass adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India depends heavily on the establishment of strong public charging infrastructure. Range anxiety is a strong deterrent that does not allow prospective customers from opting for EVs as their main household cars, as reported by Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer- Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India. Sales of electric passenger vehicles in India have increased dramatically, with almost doubling up recently. Yet, even with this impressive growth, EVs continue to account for only around 4.5 per cent of the overall passenger vehicle market. EV sales growth: Promising but limited Sales of electric passenger vehicles in India have increased dramatically, with almost doubling up recently. Yet, even with this impressive growth, EVs continue to account for only around 4.5 per cent of the overall passenger vehicle market. This is a steep increase from the earlier 2.4 per cent market share, representing a 100 per cent increase in volume. But Banerjee doubts if this growth can hold in the long term without overcoming underlying problems. Also Read : Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Phantom Blaq Edition unveiled to mark 10 years of Nexa Customers hesitant to make EVs their primary choice Part of the biggest hurdles is consumer attitude. Banerjee points out that a lot of consumers are reticent to purchase an EV as their first, or sole, vehicle, largely out of fear of range anxiety and convenience when charging. "A buyer who needs one vehicle is usually unwilling to make an EV his or her single car," he says. That hesitation is what requires greater consumer confidence, which cannot be generated through better vehicle technology alone. Infrastructure gap Although car manufacturers have taken care of the driving range problem by providing models with about 500 kilometers on one charge, public charging points are still limited. Banerjee reports that Maruti Suzuki is working actively to have EV charging stations at 100 Indian cities. But highway networks, which are important for long-distance commutes, do not yet have proper fast-charging facilities, which keeps the practicality of EVs restricted to most consumers. Also watch: Maruti Suzuki plans EV dominance in India | Maruti's EV strategy revealed | e Vitara launch soon Consumer choice and technology diversity Banerjee believes it is essential to allow the consumer to select the technology most suited to themselves. He believes that no technology—battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrids, or whatever—should not be advantaged more by policy or market consideration. "It should be the consumer who chooses what meets their lifestyle," he argues, making his way through the evolving automotive industry in India. Tax benefits and hybrid technology In current practice, battery electric vehicles attract a relatively low tax of 5 per cent GST, whereas hybrid cars are taxed far more, approximately 43 per cent. Maruti Suzuki is developing the technically strong hybrid vehicles Grand Vitara and Invicto and offers the customer a level of familiarity, but also achieves a balance of efficiency and technology. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date:
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Maruti Suzuki calls for stronger public charging infrastructure to drive EV adoption
Maruti Suzuki India has stressed that faster development of public charging infrastructure is crucial for accelerating electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the country, as ' driving range anxiety ' continues to deter buyers from choosing an EV as their primary car, PTI reports. Speaking to reporters, Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer (Marketing & Sales) at Maruti Suzuki, noted that while EV retail sales have nearly doubled in the past year, their share in overall passenger vehicle sales remains low at 4.5 per cent. 'A person who just wants to have one car doesn't want an EV to be the first car. He has got many inhibitions,' Banerjee said. FADA data shows electric passenger vehicle registrations surged 93 per cent year-on-year in July to 15,528 units from 8,037 units. However, Banerjee said customers remain concerned about the availability of public charging facilities, especially on highways, despite automakers offering models with a 500 km driving range. Maruti Suzuki is working to set up charging stations in 100 cities but believes more investment is needed for intercity travel infrastructure. The company is set to launch its first EV, the e-Vitara, this fiscal. Banerjee emphasised that all vehicular technologies — including hybrids — should be available in the market, allowing customers to choose based on their needs. Commenting on the decline in entry-level car sales, Banerjee attributed it to rising costs due to new regulations, affecting affordability. Maruti plans to introduce a financing option to own an Alto for ₹2,999 per month in an effort to revive demand. Marking a decade of its Nexa retail channel, Maruti Suzuki also unveiled the Grand Vitara PHANTOM BLAQ Edition, featuring a matte black wrap.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Maruti Suzuki marks 10 years of Nexa with Grand Vitara Phantom BLAQ edition
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has launched the Grand Vitara Phantom BLAQ Edition to celebrate a decade of its premium retail channel, Nexa . The limited-run SUV comes in an exclusive matte black wrap, designed to appeal to buyers seeking refined style and understated elegance. Available only in the Strong Hybrid Alpha+ variant, the Phantom BLAQ edition retains the Grand Vitara's all-black interior with perforated faux leather upholstery and champagne gold accents. Key features include a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a Clarion premium sound system, 360-degree camera, Head-Up Display, wireless charging, and Suzuki Connect for remote access. Safety is addressed through the Nexa Safety Shield, offering six airbags, ESP, ABS with EBD, Hill Hold Control, reverse parking sensors, and three-point seat belts with reminders. Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, MSIL, said the edition embodies Nexa 's philosophy of 'refined sophistication' and builds on the Grand Vitara's success, which has sold 300,000 units in just 32 months. The model's powertrain range, including Strong Hybrid, ALLGRIP Select, and S-CNG options, has helped it cater to diverse customer needs. MSIL expects the Phantom BLAQ edition to further boost the SUV's desirability in India's competitive mid-size SUV segment.
