India, July 29 -- Maruti Suzuki is betting that CNG is no longer just a budget fuel choice. Speaking to The Pioneer during the launch of the updated Brezza, Senior Executive Officer, Sales and Marketing, Maruti-Suzuki Partho Banerjee said demand for CNG vehicles is rising because buyers now see them as cleaner, more practical options, not simply cheaper ones.

Maruti is using underbody CNG packaging to keep the SUV usable while offering lower running costs. The idea is to make CNG feel natural in a compact SUV by not compromising on the luggage space of the vehicle, unlike first-generation CNG vehicles.

Banerjee has also pointed to a broader change in buyer behavior. He said CNG demand is no longer limited to hatchbacks and MPVs, and tha...