Leaked: Maruti’s Secret New Bus Project for India

It looks like Maruti Suzuki, India's top passenger car company, is preparing to move into a new business area.  Leaked internal files show that Maruti is working on a secret mini bus project. This could be the company's first big move into the small bus and commercial mobility market.  This could change the market for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) in India.

What We Know About Maruti Suzuki's New Mini Bus

A person connected to the project said that it is based on the Maruti Eeco platform and is centered on a small minibus.  The vehicle, which is still under wraps, is projected to have a seating capacity of 9 to 12 people, which is perfect for school buses, urban shuttles, and rural transportation.

This model will probably have the following features that earlier Eeco models didn't have:

• More space between the ground and the car
• Better adjustment of the suspension
• Petrol/CNG engine that meets BS6 Phase-2 standards
• A safety system with two airbags

Maruti's focus on fleet operators and institutional buyers seems to fit perfectly with the growing need for fuel-efficient small buses in India.

Why Maruti Wants to Get into the Bus Business

The way people get about in cities in India is changing.  As cities grow and people require better last-mile connections, the need for cheap commercial buses has grown.  Maruti's late arrival could be a problem for companies like Force Motors, Tata Winger, and Mahindra Supro that are already in the market. The price range is estimated to be between ₹8 and ₹10 lakh (ex-showroom), which will make it very competitive with other cars with the same capacity.

Design, Features, and Powertrain

There haven't been any official pictures yet, but insiders say the car will feature a boxy shape, a lot of internal space, and a simple dashboard that focuses on utility over style.  Maruti has an advantage in pricing, service reach, and parts availability because of the Eeco-based underpinnings. Expect a 1.2L petrol/CNG engine that is tuned for long life and low-cost maintenance when it comes to the powertrain.  It doesn't have a lot of performance, but it meets the needs of fleet operators.

When is the Launch Expected

If the rumors are true, Maruti's new small bus might be on the market by mid 2026, and trial production could start as early as late-2025.  Once platform clearances are in place, Maruti is recognized for short development cycles.

Conclusion

Maruti Suzuki is making a big move with this new direction, which shows that they really want to shake up the commercial vehicle market.  This new micro bus might become the vehicle of choice for schools, fleet buyers, and government tenders, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, if it is priced and specced correctly.

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