Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest carmaker, said it has raised the prices of its models by Rs 1,700 to Rs 17,000.
The cheapest models, such as Alto, will see the lowest increase in price and the most expensive models, such as the Vitara Brezza, will see the highest increase.
The prices have been raised “owing to an increase in commodity and other administrative and distribution costs”, the company said.
The new prices have come into effect today.
The company is not alone in raising prices. Many of its competitors, including Hyundai, Mahindra & Mahindra, Volkswagen India, Tata Motors and Ford have also announced price increases in the 2-4% range for the new year.
Auto makers had been unable to increase prices in the last two years because of poor demand in the country.
A general slowdown in the economy had affected demand for automobiles, limiting manufacturer’s ability to pass on increasing costs to consumers.
Even though demand has not recovered fully, automakers have decided to bite the bullet and go in for a price increase in the new year.