The Ford Model T, Volkswagen Beetle and Fiat 500 are all fondly remembered by the populations of the countries that spawned them as the vehicles that finally made the masses mobile. You can add the Maruti Suzuki 800 that that list as well. The little hatchback from India was first introduced in 1983, and it quickly became known as the "King of the Indian Road." To date, over 2.5 million Maruti 800s have been sold.
That enviable streak is reportedly set to end in very short order as India rolls out a new set of emissions standards that the old 800 is simply unable to achieve. Though it could be retrofitted to meet whatever standards are thrown its way, Maruti has said it has no plans to upgrade the car, choosing instead to slowly phase it out as newer designs take over in its place. Cars like the Tata Nano, perhaps? Time will tell.
[Source: Wall Street Journal]
That enviable streak is reportedly set to end in very short order as India rolls out a new set of emissions standards that the old 800 is simply unable to achieve. Though it could be retrofitted to meet whatever standards are thrown its way, Maruti has said it has no plans to upgrade the car, choosing instead to slowly phase it out as newer designs take over in its place. Cars like the Tata Nano, perhaps? Time will tell.
[Source: Wall Street Journal]
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