- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi jointly inaugurated Maruti Suzuki India’s fourth vehicle manufacturing plant at Kharkhoda, Haryana, during the India–Japan Joint Economic Forum held in New Delhi.
- The inauguration symbolizes the deepening strategic and economic partnership between India and Japan while reaffirming India’s growing status as a global automobile manufacturing powerhouse.
- The new facility, backed by a planned investment of ₹35,000 crore, is expected to become one of the largest car manufacturing plants in the world after its expansion.
India Emerges as Suzuki’s Global Manufacturing Hub
- Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s remarkable rise as Suzuki’s manufacturing base.
- He stated that nearly two-thirds of Suzuki’s global automobile production now comes from India, with vehicles manufactured here being exported to more than 100 countries across the world.
- The Prime Minister noted that India’s manufacturing capabilities, combined with Japan’s technological excellence, have created globally competitive products across several sectors.
- He pointed out that not only Maruti Suzuki cars but also motorcycles manufactured by companies such as Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki are being exported worldwide from India.
- According to PM Modi, sectors including Automobile manufacturing, Precision engineering, Medical technology, Power grid equipment Air-conditioner manufacturing are benefiting immensely from the India-Japan partnership.
Kharkhoda Plant to Become One of the World’s Largest
During the inauguration, Toshihiro Suzuki, President, Representative Director and Chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, announced an ambitious expansion roadmap for the Haryana facility.
Expansion Highlights
- Total Investment: ₹35,000 crore
- Current Capacity: 5 lakh vehicles annually (planned scale)
- Future Capacity: 10 lakh vehicles annually
- Location: Kharkhoda, Sonipat district, Haryana
- Status: One of the world’s largest automobile manufacturing facilities after expansion
The expanded plant is expected to significantly increase Maruti Suzuki’s production capacity while creating thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities.
A Big Win for Make in India
The Kharkhoda manufacturing plant is being developed under the Government of India’s Make in India initiative.
Speaking at the event, Toshihiro Suzuki praised India’s stable policy environment and said Suzuki would continue investing in:
- Manufacturing
- Technology
- Employment
- Exports
- Research & Development
He described India as Suzuki’s most important global manufacturing destination and called the project another milestone in the India-Japan industrial partnership.
Operational Since February 2025
Although officially inaugurated during the India–Japan Joint Economic Forum, the Kharkhoda facility became operational in February 2025.
Timeline
- August 2022: Foundation stone laid virtually by PM Modi.
- February 2025: Plant commenced commercial operations.
- July 2026: Official inauguration by PM Modi and Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi.
- Future: Capacity to double to 10 lakh vehicles annually.
Strengthening India–Japan Economic Partnership
The inauguration coincided with several landmark agreements signed during the India-Japan summit.
Both countries strengthened cooperation in:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Economic Security
- Clean Energy
- Defence Technology
- Healthcare
- Supply Chain Resilience
- Next-Generation Mobility
The Maruti Suzuki plant serves as a practical example of how long-term India-Japan collaboration is creating global manufacturing capacity.
Boost to Employment and Exports
The Kharkhoda plant is expected to play a significant role in Haryana’s industrial development.
Expected Benefits
- Creation of thousands of direct jobs
- Large-scale indirect employment through suppliers
- Increased automobile exports
- Stronger MSME participation in the auto supply chain
- Technology transfer from Japan
- Growth of the electric and hybrid vehicle ecosystem
- Expansion of ancillary industries
The project is also expected to strengthen India’s position as a global export hub for passenger vehicles.
Why This Project Matters
At a time when global supply chains are being reshaped, India is emerging as a preferred manufacturing destination.
The Kharkhoda project demonstrates:
- India’s manufacturing competitiveness
- Investor confidence in the Indian economy
- Success of the Make in India programme
- Growing India-Japan strategic partnership
- Expansion of global automobile exports from India
It also reinforces India’s ambition of becoming a major automotive manufacturing and export hub under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.