Maruti’s Best Sedan: This car of Maruti was launched when Manmohan Singh was the Finance Minister of the country

Maruti Suzuki EsteemImage Credit source: TV9

Maruti Suzuki Esteem: Maruti Suzuki has been dominating the Indian car market since its inception. By launching Maruti 800, the company started a new era of cars in the country. Apart from this, Maruti made a splash in the off-road segment with an SUV car like Gypsy. If seen, hatchback means small car and SUV in the market. Maruti Suzuki had taken over. Now it was the turn of sedans for which Maruti 1000 was launched. Replacing it, Maruti launched a sedan which took the Indian car market by storm.

Maruti 1000 was becoming popular as a sedan car in the 1990s. However, the 1994 Auto Expo saw a new car. Yes, its name was Maruti Suzuki Esteem, which changed the direction of the sedan car market. In those days, Maruti Esteem became the first choice of people due to its merits.

Maruti Esteem launched in presence of Manmohan Singh

This was the time when India had become a newly opened economy. The contribution of former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh in making India a liberal economy cannot be forgotten. This was the time when common Indians were fulfilling their dreams. At the 1994 Auto Expo, Maruti Suzuki launched the Esteem in the presence of the then Finance Minister and former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh during the launch of Maruti Suzuki Esteem. (Photo Credit: Wild Films India)

Maruti Esteem Price

Maruti Suzuki launched the Esteem in the market at a price of Rs 3.81 lakh. In terms of that time, this price was very high. However, with features like powerful engine and luxurious cabin, the car quickly became popular. People were buying Maruti Esteem as a status symbol. It was powered by a 1.3 liter petrol engine.

Launch of Maruti Suzuki Esteem. (Photo Credit: Wild Films India)

The second version of Esteem was even more powerful. Maruti also introduced this car with electronic fuel injection. Earlier it used to get 4 speed gearbox, but later upgraded to 5 speed manual gearbox option. Apart from this, the hydraulic power steering feature made the Esteem even more popular among the people.

Cheap variant for government officials

Seeing the increasing popularity of Esteem, Maruti also launched its cheaper variant. After the approval of the Finance Ministry, Maruti launched the special non-AC variant of Esteem for Rs 3.08 lakh. However, this model was launched only for government officials. There was also an interesting reason behind launching it for government officials.

Government ride made by competing with Ambassador

Actually, Maruti Suzuki wanted to end the dominance of the ambassador in the government department. You know how popular the Ambassador was among politicians and officials. The Esteem Standard became the official vehicle of officials of Defence, Government, Public Sector Company (PSU), Paramilitary Forces, and Banks. At the same time, AC Esteem was used for senior officers.

said goodbye in 2007

For a long time, the Esteem was the flagship sedan of Maruti. In the journey of 13 years, Esteem took Maruti to new heights of heights. However, the speed with which the competition was increasing, there was not much scope left for Esteem. Maruti launched the Swift in 2005, after which space had to be made for the Dzire. Eventually, in 2007, Maruti stopped production of the Esteem.

It would be really difficult to describe the journey of the Indian automobile industry without the Maruti Esteem. This car has played an important role in providing comfortable travel to the people of the country. Due to the top features available in the 90s, this car still resides in the minds of the people.