Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. has taken a landmark step toward inclusive mobility with the launch of the WagonR equipped with a factory-approved swivel seat option, making everyday travel easier for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The feature, available as a retrofit kit, reflects the company’s commitment to delivering the Joy of Mobility to all sections of society.
Inspired by Suzuki Group’s guiding philosophy “By Your Side” and aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 10 on reducing inequality, the initiative focuses on accessibility without compromising the vehicle’s safety or structure. The swivel seat does not replace the original OEM seat, takes only about an hour to install, and comes with a 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
Developed in collaboration with Bengaluru-based startup TRUEAssist Technology Pvt. Ltd. under Maruti Suzuki’s NSRCEL–IIM Bangalore incubation programme, the solution can be installed on new WagonR units or retrofitted to existing vehicles. Initially, over 200 ARENA dealerships across 11 cities will offer the upgrade, with expansion planned based on customer demand.
The WagonR, one of India’s top-selling cars, was chosen for its tall-boy architecture that naturally supports easy ingress and egress — making it a fitting platform for accessible mobility enhancements.
Speaking about the initiative, Hisashi Takeuchi, MD & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “The swivel seat will make daily travel more convenient for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. This reflects our vision of inclusive mobility and our commitment to solutions that empower people with dignity and independence.”
Naina Padaki, Founder of TRUEAssist, added, “Working with Maruti Suzuki’s R&D team has been inspiring. By integrating our solution into a mass-market model, we are helping make inclusive mobility a mainstream reality.”
The swivel seat kit has been tested and certified by ARAI and meets all required safety standards, ensuring a safe and seamless mobility experience for customers.
