Maruti Suzuki to kick off exports of EVs to Japan and Europe in 2024 ahead of India launch

Maruti Suzuki, the country’s largest car maker, will kick off exports of electric vehicles to Japan and Europe in 2024 before it launches its EV in the country in 2025.

Bharti did not share any timelines on India launch dates. Autocar Professional learns that the India launch will be in Q1 2025. 

Speaking at the 10th global summit of Vibrant Gujarat, Rahul Bharti, ED, corporate affairs, Maruti Suzuki said, “As a provider of EVs and as a manufacturer, we are here to give you confidence of our resolve that we will be able to deliver. Electrification is a process whose time has come, and it will happen. Just to give you an idea – it is not just the electric vehicle penetration in India, we will take EVs to the global arena, this year itself. We will start exports of EVs to countries like Europe and Japan.”

The assertion happens close on the heels of Maruti Suzuki announcing an investment of Rs 3,200 crore in an electric vehicle manufacturing line in Gujarat on Wednesday.

While Bharti did not share any number, Autocar Professional learns that almost 70-80 percent of the production plan of the upcoming mid-size SUV EVX showcased at the Auto Expo 2023 will be exported.

There has been a renewed impetus from Maruti Suzuki to export from India. The company has already announced a plan to triple exports from India to 7.5 lakh units by the end of the decade.

With an eye on localisation, the company is already exporting advanced lithium-ion cell batteries and packs to developed markets around the world for hybrid vehicles.

“India’s first lithium-ion cell battery and pack, we are already manufacturing in Gujarat, and we are exporting it to advanced countries in Europe. This year we will be touching almost Rs 750 crore of advanced lithium-ion cells and battery packs in volume exports in FY24,” added Bharti.

He does admit that the Indian market faces challenges of defining battery chemistry, economies of scale, and hurdles of charging infrastructure, but he believes “all these challenges” have answers.  

“It is the answers we should be concerned about, they could be in technology, innovation, business model change, and government intervention. Amid all this is a resolve. Our resolve and trust that we can do it, we can make it happen.  As a provider of EVs and as a manufacturer, we are here to give you confidence in our resolve that we will be able to deliver. Electrification is a process whose time has come, and it will happen,” added Bharti.  

Bharti congratulated the government of Gujarat on how the Vibrant Gujarat has been able to create amazing scale, stature, and impact through the current global summit.  

“I was impressed with the PM's message, you dream, and your dreams will be met by my commitment, that was a fantastic statement. India is a country whose time has come, it will be met with resolve, we need not follow the western model, we will jump multiple steps ahead – with so many manufacturers, startups, students, and policy makers and students we will make it happen,” reiterated Bharti.

With inputs from Shahkar Abidi