E-Vitara
In a significant development for India’s automotive landscape, Japanese car manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corporation announced plans to invest ₹70,000 crore in the country over the next five to six years. The announcement, made by Representative Director and President Toshihiro Suzuki, coincided with the launch of the export program for Maruti Suzuki India’s first electric vehicle, the e-Vitara, and the inauguration of lithium-ion battery cell production at its Gujarat facility.
This substantial investment, which follows the Suzuki Group’s previous commitment of more than ₹1 lakh crore in India, is aimed at boosting production, introducing new models, and solidifying its market leadership. The move aligns with the company’s long-term commitment to “Viksit Bharat” and supporting India’s vision for sustainable green mobility.
“Made-in-India” EV for the World
The e-Vitara, a “Made-in-India” battery electric vehicle (BEV), is produced exclusively at the Suzuki Motor Gujarat (SMG) plant. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first batch of the e-Vitara, which will be exported to over 100 countries, including key markets in Europe and Japan. This positions India as a global manufacturing hub for Suzuki’s electric vehicles. The Gujarat facility is slated to become one of the world’s largest automobile production centers, with a targeted capacity of 10 lakh units.
Localizing the Supply Chain
Another key achievement highlighted at the event was the start of production of India’s first lithium-ion battery and cell with electrode-level localization. These batteries, manufactured at the Toshiba Denso Suzuki plant, will be used in the company’s hybrid vehicles. Toshihiro Suzuki noted that with only raw materials and some semiconductor parts coming from Japan, this initiative is a “big salute to Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
Suzuki is pursuing a “multi-powertrain strategy” that includes electric vehicles, strong hybrids, ethanol flex fuel, and compressed biogas to achieve its carbon neutrality and climate change goals. This diverse approach not only addresses India’s unique energy mix but also reinforces the company’s commitment to localized, sustainable solutions.
Suzuki’s decades-long partnership with India has already created over 11 lakh direct employment opportunities, and this new investment is expected to further enhance its operations and contribute significantly to India’s economic growth.
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Source: Times of India, The Hindu