Maruti Says Goodbye to Ciaz as Sales Tank – SUVs Take Over the Streets

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Maruti Suzuki, India's top car manufacturer, is officially saying goodbye to the Ciaz sedan after poor sales hit a new low. The company will stop selling the Ciaz from April 1, as the model’s numbers continue to plummet. Last month only 590 units of the sedan were sold, a steep drop compared to just 300 units the previous year.

In more detail, the sales of the Ciaz have dropped significantly over the past couple of years, from 15,869 units in FY2022 to 13,610 in FY2023. The downward trend continued into FY2024 with sales dipping further to just 10,337 units. The reason is clear: Consumers are flocking to SUVs, particularly compact and entry-level models which are now outpacing sedans like the Ciaz.

With the rise of SUVs in India, sedans like the Ciaz are quickly becoming yesterday's ride. Compact SUVs are now available at similar price points to sedans and people are opting for the excitement and versatility of an SUV over the traditional sedan.

Priced between Rs 9.41 lakh and Rs 11.11 lakh ex-showroom, the Ciaz came with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, delivering 104.6 PS of power and 138 NM of torque. The dual-tone version boasted impressive mileage of 20.65 kmpl (MT) and 20.04 kmpl (AT). Even with features like ISOFIX child seat anchorages and rear parking sensors the Ciaz couldn't keep pace with the SUV boom sweeping India.

So what's next for Maruti? With SUVs dominating the market, the Ciaz will be left in the rearview mirror. The future is clear: it's all about the SUV now.