Maruti Suzuki India on Thursday launched its vehicle subscription programme for individuals to cash in on the festive demand even as a survey of car dealers threw up two key concerns — support for future business evolution and to re-start business post lockdown.

Maruti Suzuki Subscribe will be launched initially in Delhi, NCR region and Bangalore. The company plans to extend this programme to up to 60 cities in the next three years.

The company has partnered ORIX Auto Infrastructure Services India, a subsidiary of Japan’s ORIX Corporation, to launch the service.

Customers can choose to subscribe to a new Swift Dzire, Vitara Brezza and Ertiga from Arena showrooms and the Baleno, Ciaz and XL6 from Nexa dealerships.

“Maruti Suzuki Subscribe allows a customer to use a new car without actually owning it by paying an all-inclusive monthly fee that covers maintenance, insurance and roadside assistance,” Maruti said.

Dealer woes

FADA, an auto dealer association, said dealers were looking to rationalise their assets as well as manpower, especially in bigger cities, and also expect original equipment manufacturers to improve their profitability.

“Dealers are moving to smaller places with lower rent and are also looking to rationalise manpower in order to carry forward in these challenges times,” FADA president Vinkesh Gulati said.