Saar: Apart from targeting double-digit growth this fiscal, again, the company plans to introduce 5 new models over the next two years.

Whenever Maruti Suzuki has something to say in India, everyone listens. That’s courtesy of outright respect for India’s largest carmaker which has captured more than 50 per cent of market share in certain segments. This time around, Maruti Suzuki has gone ahead and revealed its plans for the next two years. It aims to increase its retail outlets by at least 10 per cent this fiscal and is targeting a double-digit growth in terms of sales as well. Moreover, a total of five new products will be launched over the next two years. Let’s take a detailed look at all those aspects one by one.

According to a report published by PTI, Maruti Suzuki is aiming to increase the count of its retail network by at least 10 per cent during the FY 2018-19. Maruti Suzuki’s official website states that as on April 1, 2018, the company has 3,211 sales outlets and 3,403 service workshops. Do the math and you’ll get what the new numbers will be by the end of the current fiscal. It is worth mentioning though that the figures mentioned include all Maruti Suzuki retail outlets – LCV, Nexa and Arena.

Also Read: India-Made Maruti Suzuki Swift Heads To South Africa

R S Kalsi, senior executive director, marketing and sales, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, reportedly said:

“We are continuously increasing our sales network. This fiscal we plan to increase the number of outlets by at least 10 per cent.”

In FY2017-18, Maruti Suzuki added nearly 350 sales outlets. Kalsi went on to mention that the company sold over 10,000 units of its LCV Super Carry from over 100 outlets last year. That number is only going to rise with a better network in place, he added.

As far as current fiscal year’s growth rate is concerned, Kalsi mentioned:

“Macroeconomic factors seem to be positive, GDP growth forecast is on the higher side and there are expectations of a good monsoon, so all these factors will be contributing positively towards the market sentiment and we are confident that we will be able to do double-digit growth this fiscal as well.”

To put that in perspective, Maruti Suzuki sold 16,53,500 units in the last fiscal. Additionally, it exported 1,26,074 units over the same period to several countries. Put both the numbers together and the resulting figure of 17,79,574, which by the way was its best ever, meant that the company grew at 13.4 per cent. Essentially, it wants to outgun itself in terms of sales this fiscal over the last one.

Lastly, Kalsi mentioned that a total of five new products will be launched over the next two years. Unfortunately, he didn’t take any names. No worries, we can surely take some calculated and/or logical guesses. This year itself, we expect the mid-life update of the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz to launch. That should be followed by the all-new Ertiga which was recently revealed in Indonesia. Another likely possibility is the introduction of the next-gen WagonR. A 7-seater test mule of the same has been caught on Indian roads on a number of occasions.

Next year, we expect Maruti Suzuki to introduce the sub-compact SUV based on the Concept Future S. Along with that, the next-generation of Maruti Suzuki Alto could also come among us. That’s five. Soon afterwards, the mid-life updates of the Vitara Brezza and the Baleno will be due. Not to forget, Maruti Suzuki has been extensively testing the Vitara too. That should come and haunt the Hyundai Creta soon.