Maruti Suzuki India is all set for a landmark moment on our shores with the unveiling of its first electric car, the e-Vitara. Besides that, Suzuki Motor Corp will also plug in its two-wheeler portfolio in India with the debut of the electrified version of its popular scooter, Access, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. Speaking to the media on Thursday, Toshihiro Suzuki, Representative Director and President, outlined the company’s plans for India and its vision for a carbon-neutral future while balancing customer demands.
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Maruti Suzuki India: Bullish on exports, production
Suzuki reaffirmed its commitment to India as a manufacturing hub, mentioning the country’s skilled workforce and the strategic importance of the Indian market. The company plans to increase its production capacity to 4 million units annually, with its Kharkhoda plant set to contribute 1 million units per year once operational soon.
On the export front, Suzuki is strengthening its global reach with ‘Made in India’ vehicles. The company has already received 15,000 orders for the Fronx in Japan, and the e-Vitara will soon join the list of exports from India to Japan. MSIL recently celebrated a significant milestone by exporting more than 30 lakh cars from the country since its inception. Last month, the company also achieved its highest-ever monthly export figure of 37,419 units.
Maruti Suzuki India: Eyes on half the Indian market!
Toshihiro Suzuki also spoke about the company’s ambition to reclaim a 50% market share in India while keeping a strong focus on green technologies, including hydrogen-powered vehicles. However, he acknowledged the complexities of reducing the carbon footprint in the automotive sector.
Addressing the challenges of electrifying heavy SUVs and commercial vehicles, Suzuki mentioned the environmental trade-offs of large batteries. “Consumers demand a 500 km range, which leads to heavier batteries weighing 500 kg to 1 tonne. The environmental impact of these large batteries needs thorough study,” he said. He also noted that commercial vehicles may not be suitable for electrification due to practical limitations. A truck carrying 350 kg of cargo, which uses a 35-litre fuel tank to travel 400–500 km, would require a 500 kg battery to achieve the same range, he explained.
As for the Bharat Mobility Global expo, the event will see the company enter the rapidly growing and competitive EV market in India. It will be interesting to see if MSIL adopts its pricing strategy to gain an edge over competitors, as it has successfully done with its ICE lineup.