The Uncertain Future of Maruti Ciaz
Maruti Ciaz was introduced in 2014 and quickly became a favorite among Indian sedan lovers. However, recent sales figures show that its popularity has plummeted, and it now ranks eighth among the best-selling sedans in India. Reports suggest that Ciaz may be discontinued by April 2025, but Maruti Suzuki has not officially confirmed this.
Declining Popularity of Sedans
The sedan market has been shrinking in India, primarily due to a significant shift in consumer preference toward SUVs. Here’s a breakdown of the current trends:
- Market Share: Entry-level sedans such as Maruti Dzire and Hyundai Aura dominate sales, making up nearly 80% of the sedan market as of January 2025.
- Competition: The remaining sales come from premium sedans like Ciaz, which now has to face tough competition from rivals such as Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia, Hyundai Verna, and Honda City.
- Overall Sales Trends: A decade ago, sedans constituted about 20% of car sales in India. This figure has now dropped below 10%, with SUVs contributing to over 50% of total sales.
With such a significant decline in the sedan segment, the Ciaz has struggled to maintain its market position. Compounding this challenge is the neglect in updates compared to its more feature-rich competitors.
Lack of Updates and Features
One of the main reasons Ciaz is losing ground is its outdated features. The last significant update to Ciaz took place in 2018. In contrast, competitors have introduced modern features that appeal to tech-savvy buyers, such as:
- Sunroofs
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
- Enhanced digital cockpit experiences
These features make competing models more attractive, adding to the woes of Ciaz in the market.
Diesel Variant Discontinued
In 2020, due to stricter BS6 emission standards, Maruti Suzuki discontinued the diesel variant of Ciaz. The diesel model used to be a popular choice among buyers, accounting for almost 30% of Ciaz’s total sales. It offered:
- A 1.5-liter turbo diesel engine
- 94 horsepower and 225 Nm of torque
- A 6-speed manual transmission
The decision to drop the diesel option has further weakened Ciaz’s competitive stance, particularly as rival models now offer turbo petrol variants, which enhance performance and fuel efficiency. Maruti Ciaz is currently available only with a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine, which is not as thrilling as its turbocharged counterparts.
Are We Witnessing a Phase-Out?
Despite the challenges facing Ciaz, it is essential to note that there hasn’t been an official confirmation of its discontinuation. Speculations regarding Ciaz leaving the market have surfaced before, often without any backing.
Interestingly, Ciaz has shown some positive signs despite its struggles:
- Sales Growth: In January 2025, Ciaz observed a remarkable year-on-year sales increase of over 111%. This growth is promising even if the raw sales figures remain modest.
- Export Performance: Ciaz has also been performing well in international markets, with exports to countries like Egypt and South Africa.
Conclusion
The future of Maruti Ciaz remains up in the air. As the sedan market continues to contract and consumer preferences lean heavily toward SUVs, the challenges for Ciaz are substantial. The lack of updates, the discontinuation of the diesel variant, and more competitive rivals create a difficult environment.
However, the growth in sales in January 2025 and decent export performance suggest that Ciaz still has some life in it. Whether Maruti Suzuki will officially discontinue the Ciaz or find a way to revitalize it remains to be seen. For fans of this sedan, these uncertain times are filled with both concern and cautious optimism. The next few years will be crucial in determining the fate of Ciaz in the evolving automotive landscape.
