In a heartening update for prospective car buyers, Maruti Suzuki has revealed its plans to significantly reduce the waiting period for some of its most sought-after models, including the Ertiga, Brezza, Swift, and Dzire. The company’s latest announcement heralds a positive shift in the automotive landscape, as eager customers can look forward to quicker access to their desired vehicles.
Ertiga’s Waiting Period Cut in Half: Among these popular models, the seven-seat MPV, the Maruti Ertiga, has witnessed a remarkable reduction in its waiting period. This development comes as a welcome relief for potential buyers who have long endured extended waiting times. The waiting period for the Ertiga has been nearly halved compared to the previous few months.
CNG Variants in High Demand: Within the Ertiga lineup, it’s worth noting that the CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) variants have experienced the highest demand, contributing to the extended waiting period. Until recently, the waiting period for CNG versions exceeded a year. The underlying reasons for this prolonged delay were primarily the global semiconductor shortage and a shortage of certain CNG-related components over the last three years.
Addressing the Waiting Period Challenge: Maruti Suzuki has taken commendable steps to address the waiting period challenges. The company has notably increased the supply of crucial components and ramped up the production of the Ertiga model. As a result, the waiting period for CNG versions of the Ertiga has been substantially reduced, now ranging from approximately six to seven months. This is a significant improvement from the previous timeline, which could extend up to a year.
Patience Still Required: While the waiting period for CNG variants has witnessed a significant decrease, it’s important to note that the overall waiting times for other models might still require a tad more patience. Maruti Suzuki has made considerable progress in mitigating the prolonged wait for its customers but acknowledges that a slight wait may still be necessary.
Ertiga’s Unprecedented Demand: The Maruti Ertiga has garnered exceptional demand, with nearly 1 lakh bookings reported by the brand. Notably, back in August of this year, the MPV had accumulated an impressive backlog of 93,000 units. This surge in demand not only emphasizes the Ertiga’s popularity but also underscores the need to streamline production and reduce waiting times to meet customer expectations.
Impact on Toyota Rumion CNG: In a related development, the overwhelming demand for the badge-engineered version of the Ertiga, known as the Toyota Rumion CNG, led to a decision to halt its production temporarily. This step was taken to alleviate the waiting period for the three-row model, as the demand for this alternative variant had contributed to the extended wait times.
