The company aims for a total annual production of 2.5 lakh units for the YY8 SUV (eVX) and YMC MPV within 2-3 years of their market debut.
Building on its dominance in the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) segment, Maruti Suzuki is set to introduce an electric MPV following its inaugural electric SUV, the eVX, scheduled for the first half of 2025. According to sources, the electric MPV, codenamed YMC, will be built on the same dedicated EV platform as the YY8 mid-size SUV. Like the electric SUV, the MPV is expected to be shared with Toyota and could have a significant portion of its production allocated for exports.
The launch of the MPV is planned for 2026, and it is anticipated to generate an additional annual volume of 50,000 to 1 lakh units. The model aims to compete with the BYD E6 MPV and Kia’s upcoming Caren-based MPV EV, which is expected to hit the market in 2025-26. As per insiders, Maruti Suzuki is targeting a combined annual production volume of 2.5 lakh units for the YY8 SUV (eVX) and YMC MPV within a short period of 2-3 years from their market introduction.
The brand plans to introduce hybrid versions of models like the Baleno, Fronx, and Swift and expand its overall product portfolio with up to eight new cars, SUVs, and MPVs, including three EVs. One of the upcoming models will be an all-electric MPV, codenamed YMC.
In line with its strategy for internal combustion engine (ICE) and alternative fuel vehicles, Maruti Suzuki aims to offer a diverse range of body styles in the EV segment, including mid-size SUVs, MPVs, hatchbacks, and crossovers. The company’s long-term plan for 2031 also hints at a potential off-road SUV within its EV portfolio.
Maruti Suzuki plans to introduce around half a dozen EVs by 2030-31, expecting them to account for approximately 15% of its total sales. The company has announced a significant global strategy, which includes exporting EVs from India. The upcoming eVX SUV will be initially exported to Europe and Japan before its launch in India. Similarly, there are plans to export the MPV to key markets.
Toyota strongly supports Maruti Suzuki’s EV initiatives. While the eVX and the forthcoming MPV will be based on Toyota’s vehicle architecture, the smaller compact EVs will likely be built on Suzuki’s EV platform.
The born-EV platform jointly developed by Maruti and Toyota for the eVX SUV will accommodate multiple body styles. An MPV based on the derivative of the 27PL skateboard, internally coded as YMC, is set to arrive in India about a year and a half after the eVX.
When the Maruti YMC launches in production form by September 2026, it will mark Maruti Suzuki’s entry into the electric MPV market and will be the fifth three-row model from the brand, following the Ertiga, XL6, Invicto, and an upcoming Grand Vitara-based seven-seater SUV. The Suzuki Spacia-based hybrid MPV, likely to follow the MPV EV, will bring the total to six three-row models in the market.
While specific details of the upcoming EVs remain under wraps, the electric MPV, YMC, is expected to share battery options with the eVX, including both the 40kWh and 60kWh units, as well as the electric motor and other powertrain components. The YMC is anticipated to have a similar maximum claimed range as the eVX’s 550km. To increase economies of scale, the interiors and exteriors of the SUV and MPV are expected to share several architectural elements.
Maruti Suzuki’s entry into the EV ecosystem is a significant development for Indian consumers. It not only creates new opportunities within the component supplier system but also, given its substantial market share, positions Maruti Suzuki to make a considerable impact in the Indian EV market.
