Gandhinagar, August 28, 2025 – In a landmark moment for India’s automobile industry, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today commemorated the start of production of Maruti Suzuki’s first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), the e VITARA, at Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited (SMG). The EV will be sold in over 100 countries, marking a major step in India’s journey toward becoming a global hub for electric mobility.

The ceremony also witnessed the launch of India’s first locally manufactured lithium-ion battery cells and electrodes for strong hybrid electric vehicles at TDS Lithium-Ion Battery Gujarat Private Limited (TDSG), a fellow subsidiary of Maruti Suzuki.

A milestone in Make in India, Make for the World

At a time when most electric vehicles in India are being imported, Maruti Suzuki has taken a bold step by designing and producing a state-of-the-art EV platform entirely in India. The e VITARA is not a conversion of an internal combustion engine vehicle but a ground-up electric SUV, engineered to meet international standards.

The SUV has already been previewed at international showcases including Milan, Italy, and the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in New Delhi. With mass production now underway, the e VITARA is expected to become the largest mass-produced and exported EV from India, strengthening the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India’s position in the global EV market.

Leaders and dignitaries in attendance

The event was attended by Shri Bhupendra Patel, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat; H.E. Mr. Keiichi Ono, Ambassador of Japan to India; Mr. Toshihiro Suzuki, Representative Director & President, Suzuki Motor Corporation; Mr. R.C. Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki; and Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki, along with senior dignitaries, state officials, and industry partners.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Toshihiro Suzuki said:

“We are deeply honoured that Hon’ble Prime Minister graced this historic event. His vision of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat has inspired Suzuki to invest in India. These milestones reaffirm the strength of the Indo-Japanese partnership and our shared vision of a carbon-neutral future.”

Pioneering battery localization in India

In a parallel milestone, TDSG has become the first company in India to achieve electrode-level localization (cathode + anode) of lithium-ion battery cells. These batteries will power Maruti Suzuki’s Grand Vitara strong hybrid SUV, reducing dependency on imports and making India self-reliant in advanced EV battery technology.

This development is expected to accelerate the adoption of hybrid electric vehicles in India, boosting domestic manufacturing capabilities, creating new jobs, and advancing sustainable mobility solutions.

Global rollout of e VITARA

The first batch of export-bound e VITARAs will soon be shipped from Pipavav Port in Gujarat to key European destinations including the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Austria, and Belgium.

With its India-made electric SUV and localized battery technology, Maruti Suzuki is set to lead the charge in India’s clean mobility transformation and strengthen the country’s role in the global EV ecosystem.