For this project, Maruti Suzuki has partnered with Bengaluru-based startup TRUEAssist Technology under its startup incubation programme with NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore.Maruti Suzuki India on Wednesday announced the launch of the WagonR with an optional swivel seat, marking a step towards improving accessibility in mass-market passenger vehicles. The feature is aimed at enhancing convenience for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, extending mobility solutions to a wider customer base.
The swivel seat has been developed to enable easier ingress and egress without replacing the original OEM seat or altering the vehicle’s structure. It can be ordered as a retrofitment kit at Maruti Suzuki Arena dealerships and installed either in new WagonR models or in existing vehicles. Installation takes about an hour and the kit comes with a three-year warranty.
The initiative aligns with the Suzuki Group’s corporate slogan, ‘By Your Side’, and supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 10, which focuses on reducing inequality. Maruti Suzuki said the move reflects its emphasis on human-centric and inclusive mobility solutions.
Collaboration with TRUEAssist Technology
For this project, Maruti Suzuki has partnered with Bengaluru-based startup TRUEAssist Technology Private Limited under its startup incubation programme with NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore. The collaboration brings assistive mobility technology into a high-volume model, enabling broader access to such features. Initially, the option will be available at over 200 Arena dealerships across 11 cities, with plans to scale up based on customer response.
Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said the swivel seat would make everyday travel more convenient for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. He added that the WagonR, among India’s top-selling passenger vehicles, provides an ideal platform to offer accessibility features at scale and reinforce the company’s commitment to inclusive mobility.
Maruti Suzuki said the swivel seat kit has undergone safety testing at the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and complies with applicable safety standards. Installation does not require any structural modification to the vehicle, ensuring safety and reliability while improving accessibility
