New Delhi: Suzuki Motor Corporation will invest Rs. 70,000 crore in India over the next five to six years, reinforcing its commitment to the world’s third-largest auto market.
The announcement came on Tuesday during the launch of Maruti Suzuki’s first electric SUV, the e-Vitara, at its Hansalpur plant in Gujarat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first batch of the e-Vitara during the inauguration ceremony, calling it a major step toward India’s green mobility goals.
The e-Vitara will be manufactured exclusively at Suzuki Motor Gujarat (SMG), a subsidiary of Maruti Suzuki India, and exported to more than 100 countries, including key European markets such as the UK, Germany, France, Norway, and Italy.
Japan will also receive shipments. The first consignment is scheduled to depart from Pipavav port soon.
Suzuki Motor Corporation President Toshihiro Suzuki said the Gujarat facility is being developed as one of the largest automotive hubs globally, with an annual production capacity of 10 lakh units.
“We chose this facility to make our first battery electric vehicle, the e-Vitara, a global product,” he said.
Calling it a “historic day” coinciding with Ganesh Chaturthi, Suzuki lauded India’s leadership in clean mobility and reaffirmed the company’s four-decade-long partnership in the country’s automotive journey.
“Suzuki remains committed to India’s sustainable mobility vision and the goal of Viksit Bharat,” he added.
India is Suzuki’s largest market by sales and revenue, driven primarily through Maruti Suzuki, the nation’s top carmaker.
The company has already invested over Rs. 1 lakh crore in India and generated more than 11 lakh direct jobs across its value chain.
Alongside the EV launch, Suzuki also commenced production of India’s first lithium-ion battery and cell with electrode-level localisation.
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These batteries, initially for hybrid vehicles, will now be made in India, with only raw materials and select semiconductor components imported from Japan.
This step aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The Japanese automaker also reiterated its “multi-powertrain strategy” to achieve carbon neutrality, which includes electric vehicles, strong hybrids, ethanol-based flex-fuel cars, and compressed biogas technology.
Following the announcement, Maruti Suzuki shares rose 1.04 per cent to Rs. 14,608.10 during intra-day trade on Tuesday.
