Maruti Suzuki’s new facility faces short delay; 2025-26 production kick-off
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, the country’s leading automobile manufacturer, is currently navigating a minor setback in its ambitious expansion plans. According to Chairman RC Bhargava, speaking at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, August 27, the automaker is experiencing a “small delay” in finalizing the site for its new manufacturing plant. This facility, once operational, is slated to have an impressive annual production capacity of 10 lakh (1 million) units.
Despite this temporary hurdle, Maruti Suzuki’s growth trajectory remains strong. The company’s upcoming plant at Kharkhoda in Haryana is proceeding as scheduled and is expected to commence production by 2025-26. This development was reported by the news agency PTI, which quoted Chairman Bhargava’s statements from the AGM.
In his address, Bhargava took the opportunity to reaffirm Maruti Suzuki’s unwavering commitment the small car and low-cost vehicle segment. This stance is particularly noteworthy given the recent fluctuations in market demand. Bhargava reiterated that the company’s strategy remains consistent, asserting, “We strongly believe that low-cost and compact cars are essential given our economic and social conditions. Our approach will not change due to a temporary drop in demand.”
This commitment to affordable transportation options is deeply rooted in Maruti Suzuki’s understanding of India’s unique socio-economic landscape. Bhargava elaborated on this point, highlighting that a significant portion of the population, particularly those who currently own scooters, aspire to own safer means of transport that can withstand India’s diverse and often challenging weather conditions. “India cannot just do with larger, more luxurious vehicles,” he asserted, underscoring the continued relevance and necessity of small cars in the Indian market.
Looking ahead, Maruti Suzuki remains optimistic about the future of the small car segment. The company anticipates a resurgence in demand within the next two years, demonstrating confidence in the long-term viability of this market segment despite short-term fluctuations.
The stock market responded positively to these developments and the company’s steadfast strategy. Maruti Suzuki’s shares closed 2.04 percent higher at ₹12,496.60 after Tuesday’s trading session, a notable increase from the previous market close of ₹12,246.55. This uptick in share price suggests investor confidence in the company’s direction and future prospects.
Elaborating on the company’s expansion plans, Bhargava said, “Our production expansion program is progressing as planned, with cars from the Kharkhoda plant set to boost our sales in FY25-26. Finalizing the location for a new one-million-unit expansion has been slightly delayed. We are doing our utmost to make a swift decision on this matter.” This suggests that, despite a minor delay in site selection for the new plant, to address the issue quickly the company is actively working.
It’s worth noting that Maruti Suzuki’s expansion plans are not limited to domestic production. In January 2024, Toshihiro Suzuki, President of Suzuki Motor Corporation (Maruti Suzuki’s global parent company), announced a significant investment of ₹35,000 crore to construct a second manufacturing facility in Gujarat. This new plant is also designed to have an annual production capacity of 10 lakh units, further solidifying Maruti Suzuki’s position as a manufacturing powerhouse in India’s automotive sector.
Chairman Bhargava also took the opportunity to commend the Indian government’s role in fostering a conducive environment for industrial growth. He expressed appreciation for the continuity in government policies aimed at accelerating economic growth with a focus on inclusivity and equity. This stability, according to Bhargava, instils confidence in the industry and supports sustained high growth. He highlighted the potential for collaboration between the industry and the government, noting that working together in an environment of trust and confidence could greatly support India’s ambition to become a developed nation by 2047.
The AGM also provided insights into Maruti Suzuki’s foray into the electric vehicle (EV) market. Bhargava revealed the company’s plans to introduce six EV models by the financial year 2030-31. In an exciting development for the near future, he announced that the first EV model from Maruti Suzuki is set to go into production and sale in the coming months. This initial offering will not only cater to the domestic market but will also be exported to Europe and Japan, marking a significant step in the company’s global EV strategy.
Addressing environmental concerns, Bhargava reaffirmed Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and contributing to a cleaner environment. He explained that the company has adopted a comprehensive approach to meet these goals, drawing lessons from international experiences while simultaneously considering India’s unique resources and challenges. This balanced strategy demonstrates Maruti Suzuki’s dedication to sustainable practices that are tailored to the Indian context.
In conclusion, while Maruti Suzuki is facing a minor delay in its expansion plans, the company remains steadfast in its commitment to the small car segment, confident in its growth strategy, and proactive in its approach to future technologies like EVs. With strong government support and a clear vision for the future, Maruti Suzuki appears well-positioned to maintain its leadership in the Indian automotive market while also making strides in sustainable and innovative transportation solutions.
The image added is for representation purposes only