Japan had become Maruti Suzuki’s second-largest export market by volume, a remarkable achievement given that it’s Suzuki’s home base and one of the most demanding and competitive automobile markets in the world. Cumulative shipments of three India-manufactured models, the Jimny 5-door, Fronx and eVitara, had crossed the one-lakh-unit mark, signifying its acceptance in the hands of Japanese customers. The three models accounted for a substantial share, in fact nearly all, of vehicles imported by Suzuki Motor Corporation from its subsidiary. The parent company became the No. 1 vehicle importer in its domestic market during the previous financial year.
The export programme to Japan began with the Fronx in August 2024 followed by the Jimny 5-door in December 2024. The eVitara, Maruti Suzuki’s first battery electric vehicle , was added in September 2025. Both the Jimny 5-door and eVitara are manufactured exclusively in India, which further underlines the importance of this manufacturing and export hub in its global network. Japan was the second-largest export destination for Maruti Suzuki throughout FY 2025-26 and continued to be so during the first five months of the current fiscal year despite the Indian subsidiary continuing to ship vehicles to nearly 100 countries around the world.
The eVitara, which has been exported not only to Japan but to a wide range of international markets, including key destinations across Europe and more than 49 countries in total, is a landmark product in the company’s history. Cumulative overseas shipments of the eVitara have already surpassed the 46,000-unit mark, with the model accounting for the overwhelming majority of India’s EV exports and among the most prominent passenger vehicles shipped from the country. Its arrival in Japan marks a full-circle moment in the long India-Japan automotive partnership: vehicles once designed and technology-led from Japan have been transformed into high-quality, India-built products which meet the demanding expectations of Japanese buyers.
Maruti Suzuki Managing Director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi has described the one-lakh milestone as a powerful endorsement of India’s manufacturing excellence. The success of India-built models, particularly the electric eVitara, has demonstrated that India’s plants can deliver vehicles competitive enough for one of the most quality-conscious markets on earth. As Japan absorbed an increasing share of Maruti Suzuki exports, the three models, led by the pioneering eVitara, have illustrated how India’s automotive industry has evolved into a genuine global production base for Suzuki: sending its made-in-India cars, including advanced electric vehicles, back to the company’s home country and beyond.