The Maruti 800, the avant-garde car of the time, had been rolled out 40 years ago on this day. It was a momentous occasion for India, as it not only changed the way the Indian middle class traveled but also paved the way for India”s industrial revolution. Until then, there were only two cars available for Indian customers: the Fiat and the Ambassador.

Unlike Fiat and Ambassador cars, the Maruti 800 made driving easy and provided better mileage. Since then, Maruti 800 has become a family member of crores of Indian families until the company stopped its production in 2014. Over the years, Maruti800 reincarnated in different forms, all of which were fondly accepted by Indian customers.

At the launch, the Maruti 800 was priced at Rs. 52,500 in Delhi. The first 10 allottees were chosen through a lottery, and surprisingly, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was one of those allottees. The first car was handed over to Harpal Singh, an Indian Airlines employee. With this landmark event, Harpal Singh became part of the Indian automobile industry.

Before bidding farewell in 2014, 27 lakh Maruti 800 units had been sold, and it had become the status symbol of the Indian middle class. Even in this era of automobile revolution, where different models of cars are adoring Indian roads, the Maruti 800 evokes nostalgia in Indian minds with its tiny but elegant design.

Today 40 years ago, the consumer revolution overtook India and its engineering industry got transformed. The Maruti 800, the people’s car was launched and the nation recalls Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, who played a quiet but hugely effective role in the background. It is also… pic.twitter.com/HQtK38e4vB

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 14, 2023

Commemorating the occasion, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh remembered Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, former Indian prime ministers who played crucial roles in making India”s first stylish car a reality.

He also recalled the role played by O. Suzuki and V. Krishnamurthy, who made the landmark Suzuki-Maruti joint venture possible. When Maruti Suzuki started accepting bookings for the Maruti 800 on April 9, 1983, almost 1,2000 customers at once paid Rs. 10,000 and eagerly waited to welcome the car to their house.