Suzuki Motor, a renowned Japanese automaker, is gearing up to commence electric vehicle (EV) production in India, with plans to export these EVs to Japan by 2025, according to Nikkei Asia. This strategic move aligns with Suzuki’s vision of establishing India as its global manufacturing hub for electric cars. Additionally, the company is considering supplying India-manufactured EVs to its partner, Toyota, for distribution in the European market under the Toyota brand.
Expansion in India
Suzuki aims to expand its EV production capabilities in India by setting up a new production line. This line will be integrated into a plant located in India’s western state of Gujarat, where its subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki, is scheduled to begin manufacturing EVs in the coming autumn.
The Indian production facility is not exclusively dedicated to EVs; it will also handle the production of gasoline-powered vehicles. The plant is anticipated to have a yearly production capacity of 250,000 units.
Suzuki’s EV Export Plans
The EVs that Suzuki plans to export to Japan from India will primarily consist of small sports utility vehicles. According to media reports, these vehicles are projected to be priced between 3 million yen ($20,043) and 4 million yen, making them accessible to a broad range of consumers in Japan.
Strategic Partnership with Toyota
While Suzuki is striving to make India its global electric vehicle manufacturing hub, it is also exploring collaboration opportunities with Toyota. Toyota owns a 4.9% stake in Suzuki. If the plans materialize, Indian-made EVs could be offered to the European market under the Toyota brand.
As Suzuki advances its electric vehicle production and export capabilities, these strategic initiatives are indicative of the growing significance of India as a pivotal player in the global automotive industry, particularly in the realm of electric mobility.