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Maruti cars export prime destination is now Africa

Algeria and Africa has been two great markets for Maruti India alongside Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Exporting primarily Maruti 800, Maruti Alto, Maruti Alto K10 and Maruti A-Star (sold as 'Celerio') to Algeria, the country has become a prime export destination for the car maker. It is the rise in demand for Maruti cars in this African country that has made Maruti exports reach newer levels. In 2011-12 a total of over 17k Maruti cars were exported to Africa making it the biggest market for the Indian car maker. Notably, Maruti sells its cars in Algeria under its parent name Suzuki prefixed to all the models.

This African country was primarily a market driven by MUVs and big cars and there was apparently no room for small cars. However, with the availability of Maruti cars in there, the people started taking interest in small cars and thus the market grew. The second best selling Maruti car export destinations are Sri Lanka and Indonesia. It was only three years ago that Maruti started exporting cars to Algeria. Around 16 percent of the total exports of Maruti cars went to this country in 2011-12.

Hyundai India also exports its cars viz. Hyundai i20 and Hyundai i10 to Africa and in 2011-12 it exported around 75K cars to Africa alone that is around more than 32 percent of the total exports. Till 2009-10 Europe was Maruti’s prime export market but it has gradually inflated its exports to Africa as soon as demand in Europe began dwindling. Thus the African market came as a breather to Maruti and compensated the loss it had received with the fading demand due to the economic crisis in Europe. In Algeria as well, Maruti Alto is the best selling Maruti car.