Carmakers Clash Over CAFE-III Norms: Maruti Suzuki to PMO Amidst Opposition

• Maruti Suzuki plans to approach the PMO, supporting weight-based relaxations for small cars under draft CAFE-III norms.
• Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and JSW MG Motor India have already written to the PMO, opposing the proposed 909kg weight threshold.
• Opponents argue that weight-linked concessions dilute EV adoption, compromise safety, and distort competition, favoring Maruti Suzuki.
• Maruti Suzuki counters that many international markets offer similar weight-based fuel efficiency relaxations for smaller vehicles.
• The draft CAFE-III, effective April 2027, proposes CO2 emission relaxations for cars under 909kg, 1200cc, and 4000mm length.

Why It Matters: Carmakers are divided over CAFE-III's weight-based relaxations, escalating the debate to the PMO.