Gandhinagar, August 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated Maruti-Suzuki’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV) ‘e-Vitara’ and launched lithium-ion battery cell and hybrid battery electrode production at Suzuki’s Hansalpur plant in Gujarat. Calling India-Japan ties “Made for Each Other,” he said EVs with “Made in India” tags will soon reach over 100 countries, showcasing India’s growing strength in green mobility.
Modi emphasized “Vocal for Local” and Atmanirbhar Bharat, stating that Indian-made products, regardless of foreign investment, are truly Swadeshi. He highlighted the milestone as a major step toward “Make in India, Make for the World” and credited the late Osamu Suzuki for fostering India-Japan cooperation in the auto sector.
At the TDSG lithium-ion battery plant, he also inaugurated the local production facility of hybrid battery electrodes. This plant will accelerate clean energy and ensure that 80 per cent of the total batteries produced will be manufactured in India. On this occasion, he said that in the festive spirit of Ganesh Utsav, a new chapter is being added today to India's Make in India journey. This is a major leap toward our goal of "Make in India, Make for the World." He added that from today, electric vehicles made in India will be exported to around 100 countries, and the production of hybrid battery electrodes beginning today will give a new dimension to India-Japan friendship. He said that nearly thirteen years ago, the foundation of Suzuki's Hansalpur plant was laid in Gujarat, making this the plant's thirteenth year, which he described as the beginning of its "teenage." This is the phase of spreading wings and taking flight toward dreams. He expressed confidence that in the coming years, this Maruti plant will spread its wings with renewed enthusiasm and move forward.
