Inbizzy, Japan — Suzuki Motor Co. has officially started exporting its first fully electric sport-utility vehicle (SUV) built in India , marking a strategic milestone for the Japanese automaker as it accelerates its global electric vehicle (EV) ambitions.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the launch ceremony at Suzuki’s plant in Hansalpur, Gujarat, on Tuesday. “From today, electric vehicles made in India will be exported to 100 countries,” Modi said, emphasizing the importance of India-Japan economic ties ahead of his planned visit to Japan on Friday.
The exported model, eVITARA, is Suzuki’s first battery-powered SUV with a driving range of over 500 kilometers per charge. Produced under Suzuki’s local subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki, the company began EV production earlier this year in India.
Massive Investment to Boost EV Capacity
Earlier, Suzuki announced plans to invest 700 billion rupees (nearly $8 billion) in India over the next five to six years to scale up EV production, strengthen battery supply chains, and expand its manufacturing capacity.
“This facility will soon become one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturing hubs, with a planned capacity of 1 million units annually,” said Toshihiro Suzuki, President of Suzuki Motor, adding that the investment will support Maruti Suzuki’s goal to double production capacity in India to 4 million units per year by the end of the decade.
In collaboration with Toshiba and Denso, Suzuki has also started local production of lithium-ion batteries to secure critical supply chains amid rising global trade barriers.
India as a Global EV Hub
India, now the world’s third-largest auto market, is witnessing intensifying competition in the EV segment. Tesla opened its first showroom in Mumbai last month, while South Korea’s Hyundai Motor is planning to expand its EV production in the country.
However, R.C. Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki, noted that mass EV adoption in India faces affordability challenges. “Mass EV adoption needs mass affordability. This will happen only when annual incomes approach $5,000,” he said.
With the first EV exports underway and a multi-billion-dollar investment plan, India is set to become Suzuki Motor’s global hub for electric vehicle production and exports in the coming years.
