Maruti Suzuki Aims for 9 Lakh CNG Cars in FY27 as Fuel Prices Push Buyers Toward Savings

Maruti Suzuki India is riding a wave of cheaper‑running‑car enthusiasm that’s been sparked by soaring fuel prices after the West‑Asia conflict. The company says it sees the demand for CNG‑powered models staying firm throughout the current financial year and beyond.

In the April‑June quarter alone, the automaker shipped roughly 2.2 lakh CNG vehicles – a hefty 58 percent rise compared with the same period last year. “If the first‑quarter trend holds, we’re looking at around 9 lakh CNG cars in FY27,” said Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer for Marketing & Sales, when speaking to PTI.

That target would be almost a 30 percent jump from the 7‑plus lakh CNG units sold in FY26, underscoring how quickly the market is reshaping. Banerjee attributes the surge largely to the spike in petrol and diesel prices, which has nudged cost‑conscious buyers toward alternatives that promise a lower cost per kilometre.

What’s interesting is that CNG isn’t just staying in the low‑end hatchbacks and vans any more. Maruti’s data shows the fuel option is now spilling over into its utility and SUV line‑up. Take the Vitara Brezza, for instance – the newly launched Brezza S‑CNG comes equipped with an under‑body CNG tank, idle‑start‑stop tech and a six‑speed manual, and the company claims a mileage of 26.9 km per kg of gas.

Even the slightly larger Vitara SUV is feeling the pressure: more than half of its sales are now coming from the variant that carries the under‑body CNG tank. “Over 50 percent of Vitara’s sales are the ‘under‑body CNG’ version,” Banerjee explained, highlighting how the alternative‑fuel narrative is moving up‑market.

At present, Maruti offers 15 CNG models across passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Last month, CNG cars made up about 42 percent of the company’s total deliveries – a clear sign that the fuel type is becoming a mainstream choice rather than a niche curiosity.

Looking ahead, the automaker is banking on this momentum to keep its passenger‑vehicle segment buoyant. If the FY27 target is hit, CNG could very well cement its place as a cornerstone of Maruti’s growth strategy, especially as Indian consumers keep hunting for ways to stretch every litre (or kilogram) of fuel.