Maruti Suzuki currently has the largest number of vehicles with factory-fitted CNG option. The company’s CNG range includes WagonR, Alto, S-Presso, Eeco and Ertiga. In fact, Maruti is working on CNG versions of the newly launched Celerio, Brezza and the Swift twins.
Maruti Suzuki is aiming at CNG as an alternate fuel option, as the demand for CNG cars have increased significantly in the recent times. In the last financial year, MSIL sold 1.62 lakh CNG vehicles. It is expecting to sell around 3 lakh CNG cars in the country in 2021-22.
If reports are to be believed, Maruti Suzuki is planning to give CNG option with its NEXA range. The company is currently selling Baleno, XL6, S-Cross, Ciaz and the Ignis through NEXA dealerships. It is expected that the soon-to-be-launched Baleno facelift could be offered with a factory-fitted CNG option.
The rising fuel prices is one big reason behind rising demand for CNG cars. Adding to it, Government of India is also working on increasing the CNG stations. CNG is now available at 293 locations, and the number of filling stations is also on the rise. Currently, India has 3,300 CNG filling stations which is expected to hit 8,700 mark in the next 1 year. By 2025, India will have 10,000 CNG filling stations.
Maruti Suzuki has completely cease its diesel plans, as the price gap between petrol and diesel is small. In a bid to improve sales, MSIL is aiming to accelerate production of vehicles powered by CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and alternate fuels. This is in line with the government aim of faster adoption of cleaner forms of mobility. The company believes that the sales of CNG vehicles are likely to overtake those of diesel-driven vehicles in our market.
Source – autocar professional
