Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corp said it has started exporting vehicles from its recently established 100% Indian unit Suzuki Motor Gujarat Pvt Ltd.
The first model to be shipped was the new Swift, destined for the South African market, the company said.
“This is the first time an SMG model is being exported,” the company said.
It said it will export to other countries as well.
“Through this Suzuki Motor Corp will support “Make in India” initiatives by the Government of India,” the company promised.
Suzuki started production at its wholly owned units, located in Gujarat’s Hansalpur, in early 2017. The first plant has a capacity of 2.5 lakh cars.
However, so far, it has been supplying the cars — including the Baleno — to local unit Maruti Suzuki, in which it has a controlling stake, for sale in India.
Production of the 2018 model of Swift started at the unit in January 2018.
The first batch of exports was shipped from Mumbai Port to South Africa, with Maruti Suzuki as its merchant exporter.
Export of vehicles from India is expanding to over 100 countries and regions including Europe, Japan, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, said Maruti Suzuki.
In FY2017, total number of exports of Maruti Suzuki reached to 126,000 units, doubling over the previous year.
The company has plans to make up to 7.5 lakh cars at its facilities in Hansalpur, and also plans to set up a lithium ion battery manufacturing operation in association with other fellow Japanese automakers.
Maruti Suzuki said its parent’s second plant at the site is being constructed and will start operations in the beginning of 2019. “Plant No.3 is also being planned,” it added.
