MAKE SMALL CARS GREAT AGAIN

Our nation was built on small cars, its time we bring them back

- BENJAMIN GRACIAS

The year was 1983. Maruti launched the 800, the first production small car in the Indian market. The modern Japanese Kei car was a stark departure from the large old-generation vehicles that were your only choice if you had the money back then. It felt modern in all aspects and drove like a modern car too. It was bound to be a success but even Maruti Udyog Limited couldn’t possibly fathom that this tiny set of wheels would usher in a new era of the Indian automobile industry — the era of the city car.

The Maruti 800’s entry was well-timed too. Cities had started sprouting across the Indian hinterland and the major metros started bursting at its seams. The small car seemed to be the best mode of transportation for the well-heeled given its ease of driving and parking! The Maruti 800 seemed like a no-brainer for the city dweller and found favour among first-time buyers for obvious reasons. No wonder it has been one of the highest-selling cars in India. In fact, it continues to live on in the guise of the Alto which over two decades of its existence has managed to sell over 45 lakh units! 

My first tryst with a small car was my friend’s third-generation Maruti 800 (he was quite popular in college, being the only one to use a car as a mode of transportation). It had a unique shade of green and the first time I took it for a spin I marvelled at how easy it was to drive compared to the Padminis and Ambasaddors I was used to. In contrast, my neighbour’s first-generation Maruti 800 felt utilitarian but had undeniable charm. Since then, I’ve had a soft spot for small cars and have always been fascinated by them.