New Delhi, February 28, 2008: Car market leader Maruti Suzuki India Limited has achieved another significant milestone today. The cumulative exports of India’s leading carmaker today crossed half a million mark i.e. 500,000 units.

As the ship liner, “Goliath Leader” left Mumbai port on 28th February, carrying 1180 Maruti cars to various Latin American countries, Maruti Suzuki became the first carmaker in India to cross the 500,000 units of export.

While Maruti Suzuki cars ply in all five continents, Europe has been a popular destination accounting for 56 per cent of the company’s cumulative exports. Netherlands with 67,700 units followed by Italy (over 41,000) and UK (over 34,000) have been the biggest European buyers. Germany and Hungary too are among the countries that have imported over 20,000 Maruti Suzuki cars.

Amongst the non-European markets, Algeria is the biggest buyer with over 42,000 units, followed by Chile, Srilanka and Nepal.

Just as in the Indian market, the Maruti 800, with 178,000 units, has been the most popular Maruti car overseas. Alto follows closely with 152,000 units. “Zen”, India first world car that was exported to Europe as early as 1994, was well received selling over 130,000 units cumulatively.