Maruti Suzuki exports first batch of e Vitara to Europe

KOLKATA: India's largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India, shipped the first export consignment of its first battery electric vehicle, the e Vitara, manufactured at the Hansalpur facility in Gujarat.

Company officials said the first lot of 2,900 units of the e Vitara was shipped from Pipavav Port in Gujarat to 12 European countries: the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, Iceland, Austria, and Belgium.Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present at the Hansalpur plant on August 26 to commemorate the start of production of the e Vitara and hailed Maruti Suzuki as a brand ambassador of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.The e Vitara will be exported to over 100 countries and will be sold in the domestic market. A preview of the e Vitara was done earlier in Milan, Italy, and at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in New Delhi, India.

Celebrating the milestone, Maruti Suzuki managing director & CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said the Indian PM's recognition of Maruti Suzuki as a brand ambassador of ‘Make in India’ is the highest possible honour the company could think of.

"The start of export of the e Vitara to Europe is indeed a proud and defining moment for us. To delight customers in over 100 countries, the product has to be truly world-class in terms of technology, design, safety, and performance. Built on an all-new electric vehicle (EV) platform, HEARTECT-e, the e Vitara features a design that combines a sense of advanced technology and strength. We are sure that with a nimble and sharp driving experience, it will delight customers in Europe,” he added.