Maruti Suzuki Aligns With Industry Body to Seek Delay in BS-VII Norms Rollout

Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) on Tuesday announced that it is aligned with the automotive industry's collective representation to the government, requesting a delay in the rollout of Bharat Stage-VII (BS-VII) norms. The move aims to allow stakeholders adequate time to discuss the future impact of these regulations on the domestic car market in detail with authorities.

Speaking during a post-earnings call, Hisashi Takeuchi, MD and CEO of MSIL, addressed the ongoing discussions surrounding the upcoming emission standards. According to Takeuchi, the framework for BS-VII is currently being deliberated among members of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) before formal consultations take place with the government.

"BS-VII is now being discussed among SIAM members, and we will consult with the government as an industry body... certainly, there will be an impact on pricing once BS-VII comes. But the details are being discussed... first we have to discuss with the government the roadmap which is sustainable and good for the industry and the nation," Takeuchi said.

Reports indicate that SIAM recently wrote to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) requesting that the introduction of specific brake and tyre requirements be shifted from April 2031 to April 2035. This representation followed direct feedback received from tyre and brake component suppliers regarding the feasibility of the proposed deadlines.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had previously released draft BS-VII rules dated October 12, which proposed tyre-abrasion requirements and brake-particle emission limits for passenger cars starting April 2031. Under the Ministry's draft framework, the norms are planned for implementation in three phases across a six-year window—commencing with the first phase in April 2029, the second in April 2031, and the final phase in April 2035.

Addressing the broader market conditions during the call, Takeuchi noted that the automobile sector must carefully balance environmental compliance with the need to sustain current sales momentum. He added that sales performance remains healthy, despite facing a high base comparison from the previous year following the GST reforms implemented in September 2025.

"Of course, we have to take care of our environment, so we have to have a good balance of those. So, we are discussing as an industry body with the government, and I think the results will come out pretty soon," Takeuchi noted. He added that the company continues to maintain sales figures above last year's numbers, keeping management optimistic about the near-term outlook.

"Regulatory transitions in the automotive sector require a careful balance between environmental goals and economic viability. When apex bodies like SIAM engage with ministries for timeline adjustments, it provides the supply chain and manufacturers necessary breathing room to absorb compliance costs without disrupting consumer demand. For automakers and component suppliers, collaborative policymaking remains critical to sustaining market momentum during major shifts in compliance standards." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes