Maruti Suzuki's Rahul Bharti Critiques Misleading Narrative on Small Car Relaxations Under CAFE-III Norms

Maruti Suzuki's Senior Executive Officer, Rahul Bharti, has criticised companies with large vehicles for opposing leniency for small cars under the proposed CAFE-III norms. He claims these companies are spreading misleading narratives to divert attention from their fuel-inefficient vehicles. The debate highlights a division among automakers regarding the upcoming regulations.

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Bharti argues that many countries provide structured relaxations for small cars based on weight. He cites examples like China, Europe, Korea, Japan, and the US, which have implemented such measures. "Some incorrect facts and narratives are being pushed in a very irresponsible manner by the makers of some large gas guzzlers to take away attention from their large gas guzzlers," he stated.

CAFE-III Norms and Industry Division

The CAFE norms, initiated in 2017, aim to limit average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions across manufacturers' fleets. The next phase, CAFE III, is set to begin in April 2027. Discussions are ongoing about new criteria, with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency releasing draft regulations for feedback in September.

Maruti Suzuki advocates for concessions for small cars under these norms. Chairman R.C. Bhargava believes the goal is to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions in larger vehicles. However, Tata Motors opposes leniency based on weight and affordability, arguing it could compromise safety features.

Safety Concerns and Market Dynamics

Tata Motors' MD & CEO Shailesh Chandra emphasises that including weight in defining small cars conflicts with safety imperatives. He believes this approach distracts from sustainable mobility efforts. Chandra notes that diluting emission norms based on weight could compromise vehicle safety.

Bharti counters that Maruti Suzuki ensures safety by providing six airbags as standard across all variants. He criticises other companies for only offering such features in top variants. "We don't differentiate between the lives of a richer customer and a poorer one," he remarked.

Global Practices and Small Car Benefits

Globally, small cars receive benefits concerning emissions. Europe offers an 18% relaxation, while China, Japan, South Korea, and the US have relaxed targets for small cars. Bharti suggests policymakers worldwide recognise the wisdom in supporting small vehicles.

He warns that unscientific targets could lead to discontinuing small cars with low CO2 emissions. "That we don't want," he said, advocating for realistic yet challenging targets that remain achievable globally.

Market Leader's Responsibility

Bharti stresses Maruti Suzuki's commitment to revitalising the small car segment. He refutes claims that entry customers prefer expensive SUVs over small cars. If true, he argues, industry growth would have exceeded 20% before GST implementation.

Currently, only 3% of India's population owns a car. Bharti believes it's crucial to enable more people to experience car ownership. "Maruti Suzuki is a market leader, and leadership means responsibility," he stated.

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) remains divided on this issue. While Maruti Suzuki supports benefits for small cars, Tata Motors and others oppose them. The debate continues as stakeholders discuss the future of CAFE-III norms.

With inputs from PTI