Hansalpur(Gujarat),August 26(HS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated groundbreaking green mobility initiatives at the Suzuki Motor plant in Hansalpur, Ahmedabad, marking a pivotal leap for India’s “Make in India, Make for the World” journey. The event saw the launch and global flag-off of Maruti Suzuki’s first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), the “e VITARA,” India's first-ever made-in-India global strategic electric vehicle destined for export to over 100 countries, including highly advanced markets in Europe and Japan.
Celebrating the milestone amid the festive spirit of Ganeshotsav, PM Modi emphasized the country’s emergence as a global hub for clean energy and green mobility. He also inaugurated the production of hybrid battery electrodes at the TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant, a joint venture between Toshiba, Denso, and Suzuki, ensuring that over 80% of the battery value will now be manufactured domestically. This local production boost is set to accelerate India’s self-reliance and development of hybrid electric vehicles.
Recalling the journey that began in 2012 when land was allotted to Maruti Suzuki during his tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, PM Modi highlighted that the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India was already in motion and is now bearing fruit. The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the late Mr. Osamu Suzuki, whose pioneering vision for Maruti Suzuki India continues to inspire.
PM Modi underscored India’s unique strengths—its vibrant democracy, favorable demographic advantage, and large skilled workforce—as key factors driving the country’s growing prominence in global manufacturing. Notably, Suzuki’s production in India is not only serving the domestic market but also exporting vehicles back to Japan, symbolizing strong India-Japan relations and global business confidence.
Highlighting the critical role of batteries in the EV ecosystem, the Prime Minister announced that the newly launched battery electrode manufacturing marks a new phase in India’s battery value chain and clean energy innovation. He also lauded Maruti Suzuki’s swift development of hybrid EV prototypes, such as the hybrid ambulance that supports the PM E-DRIVE scheme, aimed at reducing pollution and transforming older vehicles.
PM Modi also outlined India’s broader industrial progress, pointing to a nearly 500% increase in electronics production and over 200% growth in defense manufacturing in the last decade, driven by production-linked incentives and industrial infrastructure development. The Prime Minister affirmed that India’s focus will now shift to futuristic industries like semiconductor manufacturing, with six plants set to be established countrywide, and highlighted the National Critical Mineral Mission to secure rare earth magnet supplies vital for the auto sector.
The event witnessed the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Japan’s Ambassador to India H.E. Mr. Ono Keiichi, and officials from Suzuki Motor Corporation. PM Modi announced his upcoming visit to Japan, underscoring the deep cultural and industrial partnership between the two nations, which began notably with Maruti Suzuki’s foundation in Gujarat.
With these landmark initiatives, India cements its position as a global hub for green mobility, poised to drive sustainable transportation on the world stage and fulfill the vision of a developed and self-reliant India by 2047
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
