Suzuki Motor Gujarat (SMG), a 100 percent subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation for the production of automobiles, has completed construction of the new Gujarat Plant located in Hansalpur, Gujarat. SMG will start manufacturing of production models from February 1, 2017.

SMG was set up in March 2014 as Suzuki’s first 100 percent Suzuki-investment automobile production company in India, aiming to secure production ability in preparation for the automobile market growth in India, as well as for expansion of exports from India.

Located close to the Mundra Port, the Gujarat plant will be used as the export hub for markets including Europe, Africa, and Japan. Vehicles produced at the Gujarat plant will be supplied to Maruti Suzuki India. Initially, the Baleno hatchback will be produced for sale through Maruti Suzuki’s premium Nexa channel. Production line-up is scheduled to be increased according to the market situation.

With the Gujarat plant going on stream, a hard-pressed for capacity Maruti will breathe a sigh of relief. Popular models like the Baleno and the Vitara Brezza SUV (whose total bookings have crossed the 200,000 unit mark in less than a year since launch) currently have long waiting periods.

The Gujarat Plant, which has a vehicle production capacity of 250,000 units, will gradually put Maruti’s production on track. Gujarat Plant No.2 and engine/transmission plants are also planned to be constructed, and slated to start operation in the beginning of 2019.