Maruti Alto Achieves 45 Lakh Sales Milestone

The popular car nameplate has evolved through three generations

The Maruti Alto is one of the longest-running car nameplates in India, and it has now surpassed 45 lakh units in total sales over the span of more than two decades. Let’s take a quick look at its journey and achievements in the country.

The Evolution of the “Alto” Nameplate in India

The “Alto” nameplate was introduced by Maruti in India in 2000. Within just four years of its launch, the Maruti hatchback became a top-selling car in the market. In 2010, Maruti introduced the “Alto K10” variant with a larger 1-litre engine. The same year, the carmaker also launched CNG variants of the hatchback.

In 2012, Maruti introduced a new-generation Alto and added the “800” suffix for the entry-level model. Around the same time, the carmaker achieved 20 lakh unit sales for the entry-level hatchback. In 2014, Maruti launched the second-generation Alto K10. Two years later, the Alto nameplate crossed the 30 lakh sales milestone, and in 2020, it surpassed 10 lakh more units.

Maruti’s Commentary on the Achievement

Shashank Srivastava, Maruti Suzuki’s Senior Executive Officer of Marketing and Sales, expressed pride in the journey of the brand Alto over the past two decades. He acknowledged the strong emotional connection the customers have with the Alto and stated that achieving the 45 lakh customer milestone is a testament to the unwavering support and trust they have placed in Maruti. He also highlighted that no other car brand has achieved this milestone to date.

The Current Alto Model

The third-generation Alto K10 was introduced in 2022 and is currently the only Alto model available for purchase after the discontinuation of the Alto 800 due to the transition to BS6.2 emission norms. The present-day Alto features a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, four power windows, dual airbags, and a reverse parking camera.

The entry-level hatchback is powered by a 1-litre Dualjet petrol engine with 67PS and 89Nm of power, paired with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed AMT. The same engine is also available in CNG with reduced output of 57PS and 82Nm, and it is only offered with a 5-speed manual. The current Alto also includes idle-engine start/stop technology, which helps reduce fuel consumption in traffic situations.

Price Range and Competitors

The Maruti Alto K10 is available in four variants – Std (O), LXi, VXi, and VXi+. The prices range from Rs 3.99 lakh to Rs 5.96 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). It competes with the Renault Kwid and can also be considered as an alternative to the Maruti S-Presso.

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