Maruti Suzuki India announced on Tuesday the launch of its Fronx SUV in the Japanese market. The initial shipment of over 1,600 Fronx vehicles departed from Gujarat’s Pipavav port, marking the first time a Maruti Suzuki SUV will be introduced to Japan.
The Fronx is produced exclusively at Maruti Suzuki’s Gujarat facility. This marks the second time Maruti Suzuki has exported a model to Japan, following the Baleno, which began its Japanese journey in 2016. Suzuki Motor Corporation, which holds a 58% stake in Maruti Suzuki, is set to introduce the Fronx to Japanese consumers later this year.
Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO of Maruti Suzuki India, highlighted the significance of this export. “Japan is known for its high standards and advanced automotive market. Our export to Japan underscores Maruti Suzuki’s ability to produce vehicles that meet global quality and safety standards,” Takeuchi said.
The Fronx, which debuted globally at Auto Expo 2023 and was launched in India on April 24, 2023, has quickly gained popularity. It became the fastest-selling model in India, reaching 100,000 sales in just ten months.
Following its domestic success, Maruti Suzuki began exporting the Fronx to Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa in July 2023. Since its launch, the SUV has achieved total sales of over 200,000 units across both domestic and international markets.
In the previous fiscal year, Maruti Suzuki led in passenger vehicle exports, shipping over 280,000 units to more than 100 countries. The company currently holds a 42% share in India’s passenger vehicle export market. In the first quarter of the current fiscal year, Maruti Suzuki set a record by exporting 70,560 units, the highest for any Q1 in the company’s history.
