Maruti Udyog to be renamed Maruti Suzuki India

Maruti Udyog to be renamed Maruti Suzuki India

Domestic car market leader Maruti Udyog Ltd has decided to change its name to Maruti Suzuki India. Its board of directors, at its meeting in New
Delhi today, approved the change.

Maruti was conceived as the pet project of Sanjay Gandhi, son of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, nearly three decades ago. Till a few years ago, the government was an equal equity partner in it with Suzuki Motor of Japan.

The new name will come into effect only after it is approved by
shareholders at the annual general meeting and thereafter by the registrar
of companies.

"In the new name, Maruti continues to have a predominant position... A
generation of Indians has grown up with this brand name," the company said in a statement.

Suzuki, which holds the majority equity in Maruti, is known for its
expertise in making small cars. It has recently re-positioned itself as a
complete car maker with the success of its bigger cars like Swift and SX4.

"This international dimension in the company’s name will help Maruti as it
expands its role in global markets," said the company. Maruti is also
developing capabilities to become Suzuki’s Research & Development hub for Asia, outside Japan.