The exports which started last month reinforcing Maruti Suzuki’s position as a global hub for EV manufacturing under the government’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision: Reports
PUNE: Maruti Suzuki, India’s biggest car exporter, on Monday said it has started exporting its new e-Vitara, Suzuki's first battery electric vehicle, to 12 European countries, marking India's entry into the global electric vehicle market.
The exports which started last month reinforcing Maruti Suzuki’s position as a global hub for EV manufacturing under the government’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision.
Manufactured at its Hansalpur plant in Gujarat, the automaker shipped 2,900 e-Vitara SUVs in August from Pipavav Port in Gujarat to UK, Germany, Norway, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, Iceland, Austria, and Belgium.
The exports mark the first international sales of the e-Vitara.
On August 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first e-Vitara roll out from the Hansalpur facility, where the electric model is exclusively manufactured for exports.
"The start of export of e-Vitara to Europe is indeed a proud and defining moment for us,"Maruti Suzuki India MD and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said in a statement.
The company plans to export the model to over 100 countries and will be sold in the domestic market as well, he said.
“To delight customers in over 100 countries, the product has to be truly world class in terms of technology, design, safety and performance. We are sure that with a nimble and sharp driving experience, it will delight customers in Europe,” Takeuchi said.
The e-Vitara is built on the all-new HEARTECT-e platform designed specifically for electric vehicles. The SUV combines advanced technology with robust design, ensuring global benchmarks in safety, performance, and driving experience.
The SUV was earlier previewed at Milan, Italy, and at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in New Delhi.
The e-Vitara is a global electric SUV, measuring 4,275mm in length, 1,800mm in width, 1,640mm in height, with a 2,700mm wheelbase. It features a 3-in-1 electric drive system that combines the motor, inverter, and transmission into a single unit.
Buyers can choose between two battery configurations: a 49kWh pack paired with a front-mounted motor delivering 144hp and 189Nm, or a larger 61kWh pack with a front motor producing 174hp and 189Nm.
Maruti Suzuki's overall exports in August surged 40 per cent to 36,538 units compared to 26,003 units in the year-ago period.
