'The auto industry is experiencing the most severe downturn'

RC Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., is no longer an active manager in the company he served for over 38 years. Yet, at the Maruti Suzuki office, he is a pillar of strength. Known for his deep understanding of the automobile business, he is said to 'know more about the customer than the customer himself.' The following are edited excerpts from an interview with Ruchira Singh: In your career span with Maruti, how would you rate this downturn in terms of both its longevity and severity? It is still not the longest. Even in 2002, we had a three-year downturn. This one has barely gone on for a year. So, longevity