Maruti Suzuki, primarily owned by Suzuki Motor, is set to start EV production at its plant in Gujarat, a state in western India, beginning in spring 2025.
In a landmark step towards green mobility, Suzuki Motor’s Indian subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki, announced it would supply its first electric vehicle (EV) to Toyota Motor, marking the beginning of the two automotive giants’ collaboration on EV technology. The announcement, made in a joint statement by Suzuki and Toyota on Wednesday, signals a new era in their partnership, which previously focused solely on combustion engine vehicles.
Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest car manufacturer by market share and majority-owned by Suzuki Motor, will commence production of this new EV by spring 2025 at its plant in Gujarat, India. The vehicle, a sport utility model powered by a 60-kilowatt-hour battery, represents the companies’ collective push to address the global demand for clean energy vehicles. However, details on the EV’s driving range remain undisclosed.
The EV model is one of ten battery-powered vehicles Toyota plans to release by 2026 as the company strives to expand its footprint in the electric mobility sector. Toyota reported earlier that battery EVs made up just 1.5% of its global sales, including the Lexus brand, over the first nine months of 2023, with just over 108,000 units sold. By sourcing EVs from Maruti Suzuki, Toyota aims to accelerate its green portfolio and better meet rising global demand.
This new EV will be exclusive to Maruti Suzuki’s Gujarat facility, where the company is planning to establish a fourth production line dedicated entirely to EVs. This expansion will add an additional 250,000-unit capacity annually, highlighting the scale of Maruti’s commitment to electric mobility. Maruti Suzuki has also stated that the vehicle will be available for global distribution, including in Japan and Europe.
Jointly developed by Suzuki, Toyota, and Daihatsu Motor, this EV project underscores the collaborative push among these companies to develop and produce sustainable automotive solutions. While Maruti Suzuki has yet to enter the EV market, it has offered hybrid models manufactured by Toyota’s Indian division. The forthcoming EV launch will, therefore, mark Maruti Suzuki’s entry into the electric vehicle market both domestically and internationally.
This new collaboration between Suzuki and Toyota reflects a broader trend within the automotive industry as companies race to meet stringent environmental regulations and adapt to the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly transportation.
