For the first time in the last financial year, Japan has joined the top five export destinations for the Made-in-India cars. This is proof that the acceptance of cars manufactured in India is continuously increasing not only in developing, but also in developed countries.
Legendary brands like Suzuki Motor Corp and Honda Motor Company are taking fast steps towards setting up India as a production center. According to Commerce Ministry data, in the first nine months of FY24, Japan was exported to Japan from India to $ 616.45 million, which is about three times more than the previous year’s $ 220.62 million.
From January, Maruti Suzuki has started exporting its popular SUV Jimny to Japan. “We have created a strong base in the fields of quality, cost, efficiency and technology over the years, which gave us a scale and volume,” said Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer of Maruti Suzuki India. He further stated that the company will now export E-Vitara electric SUVs in India to developed markets like Europe and Japan.
Honda Cars India exported 45,167 units of SUV Elevate in FY24, most of which went to Japan – doubled from 22,321 units sold in India.
According to SIAM president Shailesh Chandra, “Indian companies are no longer limited to markets like Africa and Latin America, but they are also entering developed countries like Japan with global level models.” He also informed that the export of compact SUV is continuously increasing and now it is more than 25% of the total exports.
Maharashtra government’s new EV policy: Rebate up to Rs 2 lakh on electric vehicles, relief from toll and tax also
According to Honda’s Vice President Kunal Behal, the company wants to make India a “main export center” of its global trade. Yamaha is also planning to export a premium motorcycle from India to Japan. Yamaha India Group chairman Itaru Otani said, “Production cost and labor costs in India are much lower than other countries.”
India’s total passenger car exports increased by 15% to 770,364 units in FY24, while domestic sales increased only 2% to 4.3 million vehicles. The industry has targeted to increase the total exports by 30% in the next five years.