India's largest car manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki, is gradually making its popular models available tax-free, aiming to boost sales and offer more value to customers. Following the tax-free status of SUVs like Brezza, Baleno, and Fronx, the company has now extended this benefit to its most affordable 7-seater, the Maruti Eeco. Customers can now purchase the Maruti Eeco through the Canteen Stores Department (CSD) at a reduced price.
The tax-free initiative significantly lowers the cost of vehicles for Indian Armed Forces personnel who purchase through CSD. Typically, cars are subjected to 28% GST, but CSD customers only need to pay 14% GST. This reduction results in substantial savings on the purchase of a new vehicle. For instance, the ex-showroom price of the Maruti Eeco is ₹5.33 lakh, but through CSD, it can be purchased for ₹4,49,657, leading to savings of ₹82,343. Similarly, the 7-seater STD variant, priced at ₹5,61,000 ex-showroom, is available at ₹4,75,565 through CSD, offering a saving of ₹85,435. Depending on the variant, customers can save up to ₹96,339 on the Maruti Eeco.
The Maruti Eeco is equipped with a 1.2L petrol engine that delivers 80.76 PS of power and 104.4 Nm of torque. Available in both petrol and CNG modes, the Eeco offers an impressive mileage of 20 kmpl on petrol and 27 km/kg on CNG. This engine is known for its reliable performance in all weather conditions, making it a practical choice for those running small businesses who need to carry goods.
Safety Features vs. Build QualityWhile the Maruti Eeco comes with essential safety features like dual airbags, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), sliding doors, child locks, and reverse parking sensors, its build quality is a concern. The vehicle received a zero rating in adult safety and a two-star rating in child safety, indicating it falls short in terms of overall safety. However, if you’re in the market for an affordable 7-seater vehicle, the Maruti Eeco remains a viable option, especially for city and highway driving.
Other Tax-Free Models from Maruti SuzukiThe tax-free initiative is a significant advantage for Indian Armed Forces personnel. Maruti Suzuki has already made several models available tax-free, including the XL6, Brezza, Fronx, and Baleno. For instance, the Brezza, which has an ex-showroom price starting at ₹8.34 lakh, is available at ₹7,51,434 through CSD, resulting in a saving of ₹82,566. The maximum savings on various Brezza variants can go up to ₹2,66,369.
Similarly, the Fronx, another model available tax-free, has its Sigma variant priced at ₹7,51,500 ex-showroom, but through CSD, it costs ₹6,51,665. The Delta variant offers a saving of ₹1,11,277, while the Delta Plus variant provides savings of ₹1,15,036. Maruti Suzuki first introduced the tax-free scheme with its premium hatchback, the Baleno. The tax-free status allows for savings of up to ₹1,15,580. The Baleno Zeta CNG 1.2L 5MT variant, for example, is available at a CSD ex-showroom price of ₹9.20 lakh. The Baleno offers engine options of 1.2L and 1.0L petrol engines.
