Maruti 800 changed the way India looked at cars. It introduced a new generation of models in India where Indian customers rushed to buy automobiles for themselves making M800 as the iconic brand for the company. The model has ruled the Indian market since 80’s and now it will retire at least in 13 cities of India.

The existing model of Maruti 800 does not meet the new Euro IV norms or the Bharat Stage IV norms. These norms will come into force in 13 cities of India from April 2010 - the National Capital Region, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Kanpur and Agra. All other cities in India will have BS III norms from April. Maruti does not have any plans to upgrade the model but will develop a completely new ‘made-in-India’ car by 2012. Currently Maruti Alto is the flagship model of the company. Other cities of India will come under BS IV norms by 2015-16.

Maruti plans to phase out more models as new norms set in but the same will be done in stages in next few years. The company faces tough competition this year as various new small car models are launched from Volkswagen, Chevrolet, Nissan and Ford.