Maruti Suzuki’s first battery-electric SUV, the eVitara made its world premiere almost a year ago. Exports of the made-in-India electric SUV commenced in August and now Maruti has announced that in just two months it has shipped over 6,000 units of the eVitara from its Gujarat plant to various global markets. This also makes Maruti Suzuki India's largest electric vehicle exporter.
Europe leads the charge in eVitara exports
The first batch of made-in-India Maruti eVitara SUVs, consisting of more than 2,900 units, was shipped to Europe and the UK. In total, 6,068 units were exported during August and September, with markets such as Germany, Norway, France, Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, Iceland, Austria and Belgium among the early recipients.
Exports mark a significant milestone for Maruti Suzuki, as the Hansalpur plant in Gujarat is the global production hub for the eVitara. The facility is equipped with a multimodal automobile cargo terminal with direct connectivity to the Mundra and Pipavav ports, ensuring efficient shipments to overseas markets. The Gujarat plant will also cater to the Japanese domestic market with made-in-India eVitara, further underlining its strategic importance.
‘Make in India’ showcase
The export milestone follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Gujarat factory on August 26, where he flagged off production of the eVitara and lauded Maruti Suzuki as a ‘Make in India’ brand ambassador. Suzuki has confirmed that the SUV will eventually be shipped to over 100 countries worldwide, positioning India at the centre of its EV strategy.
Built on the new HEARTECT-e platform, the eVitara is Suzuki’s first dedicated EV, designed specifically for electric powertrains rather than adapted from ICE architectures. It will be available in single- and dual-motor configurations, including the entry level 49kWh single-motor: 142hp, the mid-spec 61kWh single-motor: 172hp and the top end model with 61kWh dual-motor: 178hp, 300Nm
Maruti eVitara India launch in the coming months
While exports are underway, the eVitara is also being readied for an India launch. It will enter the fast-growing midsize electric SUV segment, taking on the Tata Curvv.ev, Hyundai Creta EV and MG ZS EV.