Hansalpur / New Delhi – In a ceremony that could have doubled as the season finale of “Make in India: The Electric Edition,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi commemorated not one but two historic firsts in the Indian automotive story.
First, Maruti Suzuki rolled out its debut Battery Electric Vehicle, the e Vitara, manufactured exclusively at Suzuki Motor Gujarat and destined for over 100 countries. Second, Suzuki’s subsidiary, TDS Lithium-Ion Battery Gujarat Pvt. Ltd. (TDSG), began local manufacturing of lithium-ion battery cells and electrodes for strong hybrid electric vehicles – proving India isn’t just driving the EV wave, but also building the batteries to power it.
Joining the PM on stage were Gujarat’s Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Japan’s Ambassador to India H.E. Mr. Keiichi Ono, and Suzuki’s global leadership – all of whom looked suitably proud, though possibly also calculating how many e Vitaras they could book as company cars.
🚗 India’s EV Goes Global
Forget “kitna deti hai,” the e Vitara is asking, “kitna export karegi?” The first export batch of the all-electric SUV will soon roll out from Pipavav port, heading straight for Europe. Germany, France, the UK, Norway, Italy, and even Iceland are bracing themselves for an SUV that’s both shock-proof and shockingly Indian.
Unlike some “EV conversions,” the e Vitara isn’t just an old ICE car with a new battery stuffed in. It sits on a fresh, EV-only platform, engineered with fewer compromises and more “future-proof” vibes. Having already wowed Milan and New Delhi auto expos, it’s now ready to electrify the Autobahn and beyond.
🔋 India Charges Ahead
While one plant makes cars, the other makes sure they don’t run out of juice. TDSG has officially achieved electrode-level localization – meaning India now produces cathodes and anodes instead of importing them. For hybrid models like the Grand Vitara, this is basically the difference between “Made in India” and “Made with India’s permission slip.”
With a current production capacity of 18 million cells annually and an expansion plan of 12 million more, the Gujarat plant is set to become the beating heart of India’s EV supply chain.
🇮🇳 Jobs, JVs, and Japan’s Jolt
Suzuki has already invested over ₹1,00,000 crore in India, generating 11 lakh+ direct jobs in the value chain. As Mr. Toshihiro Suzuki, President of Suzuki Motor Corporation, put it:
“We will provide all products and technologies that reduce oil imports and carbon emissions – from EVs to hybrids to natural gas and biofuels. Basically, if it moves and doesn’t guzzle petrol, we’re making it.”
🌍 Aatmanirbhar Bharat Accelerates
For Prime Minister Modi, this was more than a ribbon-cutting moment – it was a milestone in his vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.” With localization, skill development, and exports firing on all cylinders, the e Vitara and homegrown lithium-ion batteries showcase how Indo-Japanese collaboration is shifting from “carpool partners” to “carbon-neutral allies.”
Or in simpler words: India isn’t just making cars anymore, it’s making history – and exporting it with free shipping.
