THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Ahmedabad, Aug 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Suzuki Motor Corporation Chairman and Representative Director Toshihiro Suzuki jointly flagged off Suzuki’s first global strategic battery electric vehicle (BEV), the e-Vitara, at the company’s Hansalpur plant in Gujarat on Monday. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was also present at the occasion.
Calling it a new milestone in India’s industrial journey, PM Modi said, “This marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Make in India movement. India is now moving beyond ‘Make in India’ towards ‘Make for the World’.”
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EV production for global markets
On the second day of his Gujarat visit, PM Modi also inaugurated the local production of hybrid battery electrodes at the Hansalpur facility. Production of Maruti Suzuki’s electric SUV has now begun and the vehicle will be exported to over 100 countries, including Japan and European markets.
The hybrid battery electrode production has been launched at the TDS lithium-ion battery plant — a joint venture of Toshiba, Denso, and Suzuki — to strengthen India’s clean energy ecosystem.
Officials said that more than 80 percent of the battery components will be manufactured domestically, supporting India’s clean energy and manufacturing targets.
According to reports, Maruti Suzuki has set a target of producing 67,000 electric vehicles in the financial year 2026.
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Hansalpur facility details
The Suzuki Motor Gujarat (SMG) plant in Hansalpur spans 640 acres and has an annual production capacity of about 7.5 lakh units. The plant, equipped with three production lines, was recently acquired by Maruti Suzuki from Suzuki Motor Corporation.
Currently, Maruti Suzuki operates three plants in India with a combined annual production capacity of around 2.35 million cars. Two of these facilities are located in Haryana — at Gurugram and Manesar — and one in Gujarat.
