Maruti Suzuki, guided by its parent firm Suzuki Motor Corporation, is gearing up for a major push in the Indian automotive landscape. The leadership has outlined a bold roadmap that includes rolling out eight fresh SUV variants by the financial year 2030-31. This move is backed by a substantial financial commitment of around Rs 70,000 crore over the coming five to six years, with the ultimate goal of securing a dominant 50% stake in India’s passenger vehicle category.
Key Announcements from Suzuki’s Leadership
At a recent event during the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, Toshihiro Suzuki, who serves as the Representative Director and President of Suzuki Motor Corporation, shared insights into the company’s future direction. He emphasized India’s pivotal role as the core focus area for their operations globally. Without specifying exact model details, he hinted at a variety of upcoming releases tailored to meet diverse consumer needs across multiple vehicle classes.
Building a Robust Portfolio and Targeting SUV Dominance
By introducing these eight new SUVs, Maruti Suzuki aims to expand its overall lineup to 28 distinct models available in India. This strategy aligns perfectly with the booming demand for SUVs, which now represent over half of all vehicle sales in the nation. The segment has experienced remarkable expansion in recent years, prompting the company to prioritize it heavily. Toshihiro Suzuki confirmed that the planned Rs 70,000 crore infusion will primarily fuel capital expenditures to support this growth in the Indian market.
Upcoming Launches and Hybrid Innovations
The company’s aggressive SUV rollout is expected to kick off around mid-2026 with an updated version of the Fronx equipped with advanced strong hybrid technology. Following closely, a spacious seven-seater SUV is slated for release by the end of that year. While rumors circulate about a compact, budget-friendly electric SUV in development, official details remain scarce at this stage.
Export Growth and India’s Role as a Manufacturing Powerhouse
Maruti Suzuki has also achieved impressive milestones in international shipments, with export figures surging by more than three times over the past five years. In the ongoing fiscal year 2024-25, the brand has already dispatched 3.3 lakh units to regions like Europe and Japan, projecting an increase to 4 lakh by year-end. This underscores India’s position as Suzuki’s primary manufacturing center worldwide.
Commitment to Sustainability and Carbon Neutrality
During the same mobility show, Suzuki elaborated on the corporation’s worldwide approach to achieving carbon neutrality. He stressed the importance of customized strategies that consider each country’s unique energy resources and regulations. Rather than a uniform solution, the focus will be on deploying suitable eco-friendly technologies to meet local environmental targets effectively.
Diverse Powertrain Options and Electric Vehicle Entry
Currently, Maruti Suzuki offers an array of engine types in India, including traditional petrol, compressed natural gas (CNG), mild-hybrid, and strong-hybrid systems. The brand is poised to make its debut in the electric arena with the e-Vitara launching in December, marking their inaugural homegrown battery-powered model produced locally. This vehicle has already hit markets abroad, with units exported from the Gujarat facility.
Toshihiro Suzuki highlighted that relying solely on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) might not be feasible for complete fleet transformation. To drive significant emission cuts, efforts must extend to the vast majority of conventional vehicles. He advocated for a balanced, multi-technology pathway as the most effective route to substantial environmental progress, avoiding a narrow focus on BEVs alone.
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Biogas Initiatives for Greener Energy
In a forward-looking partnership, Suzuki plans to set up nine biogas production facilities in Gujarat by 2027. Collaborating with key players such as Banas Dairy, Amul, and the National Dairy Development Board, this initiative aims to promote sustainable fuel alternatives and contribute to broader ecological goals.
