Maruti Ciaz will cease in April, driven by decline and market shifts
Maruti Suzuki will phase out the mid-season Ciaz in April 2025, marking the end of the brand’s long-standing model. Although the company has formally refuted reports of the disruption, multiple industry sources have indicated that production will end in March 2025 and sales will end soon after.
Shrinking the sedan market
The decision to pull Ciaz off the shelves reflects a larger transformation in the Indian auto market. Once it flourished, midsize sedans steadily lost their SUVs. In 2015, sedans accounted for about 20% of Indian passenger car sales. By 2024, that number has dropped below 10%, and SUVs now account for more than half of the market.
This segment shift has affected all brands including Maruti Suzuki. The company once held a command share of 35-40% in the mid-size sedan category in 2017-18 and now controls only 11%. Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia and Hyundai Verna are currently dominating the segment, while Ciaz is steadily lagging behind.
From segment leader to niche player
Launched in 2014 as the successor of the SX4, Ciaz initially enjoyed strong sales, often competing with the Honda City and Hyundai Verna. However, recent data highlights its decline. In the first nine months of FY25, CIAZ registered only 5861 units, reflecting a 34% year-on-year decline, surpassing the contraction of the entire segment.
Monthly sales further illustrate the trend: 659 units were sold in October, followed by November 597 and December 464, 2024.
Key factors for decline
Several factors have led to a decline in Ciaz’s appeal:
- Exit the diesel market:
A major turning point is Maruti Suzuki’s decision to withdraw from the diesel sector in 2020. The move comes a year after the brand launched its in-house 1.5-liter DDIS diesel engine for CIAZ. With the engine not meeting BS6 emission standards, the sedan has only gasoline options left, and diesel accounts for nearly 30% of its sales. - Lack of feature updates:
While competitors like the Hyundai Verna and Volkswagen Virtus have modern features like ADA, digital instrument clusters, sunroofs and turbo-Petro engines, the CIAZ has largely remained the same since the last major update in 2018. The naturally aspirated 1.5-liter petrol engine, though reliable, matches power with novel power and new power and provides novel power. - Focus on SUV:
Maruti Suzuki also plays a role in the strategic hub of SUVs. With the rise of models like Grand Vitara, Jimny and Fronx, the company allocated more resources to this high-growth segment. Even in the NEXA showroom, SUVs occupy a central position, and CIAZ has gained limited marketing impetus in recent years.
No plan
With CIAZ going out of the market, Maruti Suzuki has no plans to replace it directly, effectively marking the brand’s exit from the mid-size sedan space. This reflects trends across the industry as most manufacturers shift their focus to the SUV category, driven by consumer demand and market dynamics.
Despite the conclusions of Ciaz’s journey, it remains a well-known chapter in the legacy of Maruti Suzuki, once set benchmarks in the midsize sedan space. As the automotive landscape continues to grow, the company seems to be increasingly closer to its preference for SUVs.
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In the April 2025 market trend, the post-Maruti Suzuki Island will be discontinued, which first appeared on Motorcycle Island.
