Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL), India's largest passenger car maker, bagged its single largest manufacturing order for its popular SUV - the Gypsy from the Indian Army. Under this assignment, the company will manufacture and deliver over 4,100 units of the SUV. However, Maruti has already dispatched 2100 units over the last two months, while the rest of the vehicles will be delivered in the next 4-5 months.
The officials denied to reveal the financial value of the deal, as it was finalized through central government tendering. That said, the price at which vehicles will be delivered to the army will be less than its market price. The current market price for the SUV is Rs 5.42 - Rs 5.96 lakh (ex-showroom).
The Indian Army has been among the largest buyers of Maruti Suzuki Gypsy ever since its launch in India. The company delivered around 1,500 Gypsys to the army in its first year, and with the latest order the number now stands at 31,000 units.
The company also delivers the Gypsy to Air Force, Navy, BSF and paramilitary forces, but the numbers from the aforementioned forces have always been very lower in comparison to the Army. The Gypsy that was quite popular among SUV buyers in the past, has seen a constant drop; and this is primarily because of its unavailability in diesel powertrain. However, the 4x4 Gpysy is still quite popular among enthusiasts and rally drivers.
