Maruti Suzuki India Limited has announced the launch of an optional swivel seat for its popular WagonR model, marking a significant initiative aimed at promoting inclusive mobility for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The swivel seat, designed to facilitate easier vehicle entry and exit, will be available as a retrofittable accessory at over 200 Arena dealerships across 11 cities as part of a pilot project. The company plans to expand the program based on customer feedback and demand.
This development represents a collaboration between India’s leading passenger vehicle manufacturer and Bangalore-based startup TRUEAssist Technology Private Limited, facilitated through Maruti Suzuki’s startup incubation program with NSRCEL-IIM Bangalore.
The initiative aligns with the Suzuki Group’s corporate philosophy of being customer-focused and supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 10, which addresses inequality reduction.
“Swivel seat will make daily travel more convenient for senior citizens and persons with disabilities,” said Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO of Maruti Suzuki India Limited. “WagonR is among the top 10 selling models in India and is ideal to offer this accessibility feature to a wider audience.”
The WagonR’s tall boy design, which provides spacious headroom and generous legroom, makes it particularly suitable for this accessibility solution. The swivel seat can be installed in new WagonR models or retrofitted in vehicles sold after 2019.
Installation takes approximately one hour and does not require replacement of the original equipment manufacturer seat or modification to the vehicle’s structure. The swivel seat kit has undergone safety testing at the Automotive Research Association of India and complies with required safety standards.
Naina Padaki, Founder of TRUEAssist Technology Private Limited, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting that integrating the innovation into a mass-market model ensures that inclusive mobility reaches more families across India.
The swivel seat comes with a three-year warranty against manufacturing defects, provided by TRUEAssist Technology Private Limited. Customers can order the retrofitment kit through Maruti Suzuki Arena dealerships in participating cities.
The company emphasized that this initiative reflects its commitment to delivering accessible, human-centric mobility solutions that empower individuals with dignity, independence, and confidence in their everyday journeys.