Maruti Suzuki unveiled its first-ever electric vehicle (EV), the all-new e-Vitara, on the inaugural day of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Friday.
Toshihiro Suzuki, Representative Director and President of Maruti Suzuki Motor Corporation, outlined the company’s three-step strategy to make EVs attractive.
He stated, "India, Japan, and Europe, we aim to make the EV attractive through our 3-step strategy. First, making BEVs attractive to customers, second, developing a dedicated BEV platform, and third, offering the right product based on customer requirements."
The e-Vitara marks Suzuki’s first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and will be manufactured in India at Maruti’s Gujarat plant, with production slated to begin by the end of March or early April.
"Production of e-Vitara to begin in the coming months in Gujarat plant," Suzuki confirmed.
The Made-in-India e-Vitara will be sold domestically and exported to global markets, including Europe and Japan, with almost 50% of the total production expected to be shipped abroad.
"We will be exporting to 100 countries, including Europe and Japan," added Suzuki. He further emphasized, "e-Vitara is part of Suzuki's technology strategy for the next 10 years."
Currently, electric vehicles account for about 3% of total car sales in India. The e-Vitara boasts a bold and modern design, featuring sharp LED headlights with three-piece DRLs, a sleek blacked-out bumper, fog lamps, and rugged silver skid plates, contributing to its aggressive aesthetic.
Hisashi Takeuchi, MD and CEO of Maruti Suzuki, commented, "e-Vitara is an important step toward sustainability. We invested Rs 2,100 crore for manufacturing e-Vitara in India."
The e-Vitara comes with two lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack options — 49 kWh and 61 kWh. Additionally, the SUV will offer both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations.
It is equipped with features like LED headlamps and tail lamps, 18/19-inch wheels, a digital instrument panel, a touchscreen infotainment system, a powered driver seat, a wireless charger, a JBL premium audio system, a 360-degree camera, and a sunroof. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) will also be available.
Takeuchi concluded, "Our ultimate goal is to create ecosystem-friendly solutions for the customer, which we call 'e for Me'."
The arrival of BEVs like the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara is expected to boost EV sales in India, alongside other new models like the Mahindra BE6 and the Mahindra XEV 9e, giving the segment a significant push.