Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has renewed its Wharfage Rate Agreement with Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL), further solidifying its commitment to the Make-in-India initiative and enhancing India’s position as a key player in the global automotive manufacturing landscape. Senior executives from both companies formalized the agreement at Kamarajar Port, with stakeholders from the shipping and automotive sectors also present.
This renewal strengthens TKM’s global supply chain, ensuring the smooth and efficient export of Completely Built Units (CBUs) through KPL, the company’s primary export gateway since 2012. The agreement reflects TKM’s ongoing focus on operational excellence, strategic collaborations, and advancing India’s automotive trade capabilities on the world stage.
Since TKM began exporting vehicles in April 2012, Kamarajar Port has served as the company’s logistics hub for global shipments. The first export shipment consisted of 247 Toyota Etios units sent to South Africa, and since then, TKM’s global reach has expanded significantly, supported by KPL’s strong infrastructure. Over time, this partnership has enabled TKM to deliver high-quality vehicles to markets around the world.
Currently, TKM exports the Urban Cruiser Hyryder to 22 countries, including major markets like South Africa, UAE, France, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. More than 180,000 CBUs have been shipped via KPL, showcasing the long-standing operational efficiency and trust between the two organizations.
Yoshinori Noritake, EVP & Chief Technical Officer of TKM, commented, “Renewing our partnership with Kamarajar Port allows us to continue exporting world-class products from India. KPL has been an essential part of our export operations, helping us achieve excellence in manufacturing and supply chain management. Their continued support is vital to our long-term goals and aligns with the Government of India’s vision of transforming the country into a global automotive export hub. We are confident that this ongoing collaboration will foster innovation, improve efficiency, and enhance sustainability in our logistics operations.”
Sunil Paliwal, IAS – Chairman of KPL and Chennai Port Authority, remarked, “Toyota Kirloskar Motor has been one of our earliest and most reliable automotive partners, and we take pride in being a part of their global success story. This long-standing collaboration underscores our shared commitment to expanding automotive exports. At KPL, we are dedicated to offering top-tier infrastructure, dependable services, and tailored solutions for our clients. As India’s manufacturing sector continues to grow and global automotive demand evolves, we are prepared to support leaders like Toyota with sustainable, future-proof port operations.”
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) is a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan and Kirloskar Group, based in India. Established in 1997, the company is headquartered in Bidadi, Karnataka, and plays a key role in Toyota’s operations in the Indian market. TKM is involved in the manufacturing and distribution of vehicles, with a product lineup that includes popular models like the Innova, Fortuner, Urban Cruiser, and Hilux. Beyond vehicle production, TKM focuses on sustainability, safety, and skill development initiatives, aligning with both Toyota’s global principles and India’s mobility and environmental goals. The company also supports local manufacturing and localization, contributing to job creation and the growth of India’s automotive sector.
