Maruti Suzuki Concludes First Design Challenge, Engages 400+ Students

Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has successfully concluded its first-ever Maruti Suzuki Design Challenge, marking a significant step in the company’s efforts to engage with young design talent and foster innovation in future mobility solutions . The initiative brought together over 400 students from 70 leading Indian and global design institutes, offering them a platform to showcase creativity, innovation, and forward-thinking automotive design concepts.

The Design Challenge invited participants to conceptualise a compact car that reflects evolving mobility needs and customer expectations. Through this initiative, Maruti Suzuki aimed to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry while enabling students to gain real-world exposure to automotive design. The competition aligns with the company’s broader open innovation approach, which includes engagement with start-ups and emerging talent to shape future-ready mobility solutions.

Rigorous Multi-Round Evaluation Process

The competition was conducted across four evaluation rounds to assess design thinking, innovation, and feasibility. Following the assessment, teams from MIT Institute of Design, Pune, Association of Designers of India at VIT, Vellore, and Strate School of Design, Bengaluru secured the top three positions. These winning teams were awarded cash prizes along with a six-month internship opportunity with Maruti Suzuki’s design team, allowing them to work alongside professional designers on future vehicle concepts .

In addition, the next seven teams were recognised for their efforts with gift vouchers and a potential opportunity to intern with the company after further evaluation. The company has announced plans to make this challenge an annual event, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing emerging design talent and staying aligned with a rapidly transforming mobility landscape.

Commenting on the initiative, Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, highlighted the importance of engaging young designers who bring fresh perspectives and challenge conventional thinking. He noted that automotive design plays a crucial role in influencing customer decisions and that initiatives such as the Design Challenge help bridge the gap between academic learning and industry application.

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