Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation announced plans to invest Rs 70,000 crore in India over the next five to six years to strengthen its presence and operations in the country, said Toshihiro Suzuki, Representative Director and President, on Tuesday. The announcement came during an event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the export of Maruti Suzuki India’s first electric vehicle, the e VITARA, to 100 countries and launched production of lithium-ion battery cells for strong hybrid electric vehicles at the company’s facility in Gujarat.
Speaking at the event, Toshihiro Suzuki stated, “Suzuki will invest over Rs 70,000 crore in India in the coming 5 to 6 years.” He added, “Suzuki has proudly been a partner in India’s mobility journey for more than four decades. We remain committed to supporting India’s vision for sustainable green mobility and contributing to a developed India.”
Suzuki Group has already invested over Rs 1 lakh crore in India, creating more than 11 lakh direct jobs across its value chain. The first batch of export-bound e VITARA vehicles, manufactured exclusively at Suzuki Motor Gujarat (SMG), a unit of Maruti Suzuki India, will be shipped from Pipavav port to various countries in Europe, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Austria, and Belgium.
The Gujarat facility, which serves customers across India and international markets, is set to become one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturing hubs, with a planned capacity of 10 lakh units. “We chose this facility to manufacture the e VITARA, our first battery electric vehicle (BEV), and to establish it as a global production hub for this model. This ‘Made-in-India’ BEV will be exported to over 100 countries, including Japan and Europe,” Toshihiro Suzuki said.
He also highlighted the company’s second major milestone: the start of production of India’s first lithium-ion battery and cell with electrode-level localization, which are used in their hybrid vehicles. These are being produced at the Toshiba Denso Suzuki plant in Gujarat.
“Except for raw materials and some semiconductor parts from Japan, this is a significant achievement for Atmanirbhar Bharat. Our multi-powertrain strategy will include electric, strong hybrid, ethanol flex-fuel, and compressed biogas technologies to meet carbon neutrality and climate goals,” he added.
Maruti Suzuki is one of India’s leading automobile manufacturers, renowned for producing a wide range of affordable and reliable vehicles. A subsidiary of the Japanese automaker Suzuki, Maruti Suzuki has established itself as a household name in India since its inception in 1981.
The company is known for offering a diverse portfolio of cars, from compact hatchbacks to sedans and SUVs, catering to various customer preferences and budgets. Maruti Suzuki has played a significant role in making car ownership accessible to millions of Indians, with its focus on fuel efficiency, low maintenance costs, and strong after-sales service. With an extensive network of dealerships and service centers across the country, Maruti Suzuki continues to dominate the Indian automotive market while also expanding its presence globally.
