The end of India’s most popular car

First it was the old Amby, short for Ambassador and old Fiat and Premier Padmini seen all over India till the end of seventies and early eighties. Then came Maruti. India’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki was recently given a quiet and solemn burial to Maruti800 – the car that encouraged India to drive and made Maruti, a household name.

 

Launched at a starting price of Rs 47,500, Maruti800 was a coming of age car that offered features like AC and fuel efficiency. And ironically, the end of Maruti800’s journey comes barely months after its first proud owner Harpal Singh passed away last year. And the first owner, Harpal’s family continues to chug along even after the owner passed away leaving his proud possession.

The last Maruti800 rolled off the assembly line in Gurgaon on Jan 18 this year and brings to a close a glorious chapter and a remarkable 30-year-old journey. It was the mainstay for the company till 2004 and remains the most sold car in India with sales of around 2.7 million cars.

Maruti has already discontinued the car from 13 major cities in India including four metros – Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta and Chennai, back in 2010 when stricter emission norms came into effect. RC Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India states, ‘M800 was a coming of age car that offered features like air conditioning and fuel efficiency.’ It was the owner’s pride and neighbour’s envy! The small car loved by all.

As all good things come to an end. The end of the journey for M800 was inevitable, but its impact in India would be everlasting. Still many M800’s in top condition are on the roads taking its proud owners on a long journey. M800 has left its imprint on Indian automobile history. For many Indians M800 was the first car and from which they went on to buy other latest cars, SUVs and sedans. I am sure, none of them will ever forget the M800.

* To be here or to communicate: aneelanike@gmail.com

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