History of Maruti Udyog Motor Cars / Automobiles

• 8.9.2.  Maruti Udyog 
  
  
  

  In 1982 Maruti Udyog signed a license and joint venture agreement with the Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan. 
  
  
  In 1983 the company launched the Maruti 800, a rebadged version of the first generation Suzuki Alto.
  
  
  The three cylinder car had a 796 cc petrol powered engine and a top speed of about 120 kph (75 mph).  
  
  
  
  
  By about 2003, with sales of 2.4 million, it was the top selling car in India.
  
  
  Between 1990 and 1994 the company produced the Maruti 1000, a 970 cc sedan (a car sold by Suzuki as the Cultus in other countries).
  
  
  The Zen, a 993 cc hatchback car, was produced in 1993. 
  
  
  In 1995 an upgraded version of the Maruti 1000, called the Esteem, was introduced, originally with either a 1.3 litre petrol or a 1.5 litre diesel engine.
  
  
  The three cylinder, 796 cc petrol powered, Alto model was introduced in 2000. It had a top speed of 130 kph (81 mph).