1 in 3 New Maruti Car Runs on CNG, New Swift S-CNG A Hit

CNG is getting massively popular in our market as it offers low running costs and carmakers are introducing new CNG models regularly

The new Maruti Swift CNG has been an instant hit, according to the latest sales data. In fact, the largest car marque in the country has experienced an immense boost in the sales of CNG cars. Note that Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) offers tons of models with CNG powertrains. As a matter of fact, in September 2024, 1 in 3 Maruti cars sold had a CNG heart. For the auto giant which sells the most number of cars in the country, this is a huge achievement. It is indicative of the fact that people have embraced CNG cars and are willing to opt for them, particularly in large cities where the infrastructure is developed.

Maruti CNG Car Sales

For the month of September 2024, Maruti Suzuki sold an impressive 1,84,727 units. This marks a rather humble 2% increase in sales on a year-on-year basis. These numbers incorporate domestic sales of 1,48,061 and exports of 27,728 units. The rest 8,938 units are sales to other OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers). However, the main point of deliberation is that MSIL mentions that every 3rd car sold was a CNG vehicle. As a result, this is the first time that Maruti Suzuki has crossed the momentous 50,000-sales mark for CNG cars in a month. The total CNG car sales last month stood at an impressive 53,341 units.

Maruti Swift CNG

Talking specifically about the Swift CNG, in September 2024, Maruti Suzuki recorded a mammoth 4,471 sales of the new Swift S-CNG alone. That makes it an instant hit. The Maruti Swift CNG comes with a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder naturally aspirated bi-fuel mill which generates a decent 69.75 PS and 101.8 Nm of peak power and torque. Performing the transmission duties is a sole 5-speed manual transmission. What people love the most is the astonishing 32.85 km/kg of mileage. This makes it one of the most fuel-efficient CNG vehicles in the country. The prices range from Rs 8.20 lakh to Rs 9.20 lakh, ex-showroom for the CNG variants.

My View

I have seen a massive shift in the industry in terms of the CNG powertrain adoption. It has always been around. However, as fuel prices keep rising and EVs still being too expensive for the masses, CNG is a great alternative. Sure, CNG cars are only feasible in cities where the infrastructure is fairly developed. Still, CNG car sales are rising exponentially. As a result, we are also witnessing more car marques offer new models with CNG mills. Also, with new technologies like dual-cylinder, modern CNG cars ensure that you don’t have to compromise on practicality and boot space if you wish to go for a CNG car. Let us see how far this trend continues.

Also Read: Maruti Swift CNG vs Tata Tiago CNG – What To Buy?