Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) has started exporting the 2018 Suzuki Swift from Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited (SMG), SMC’s 100% subsidiary to produce automobiles in India. The first batch is on its way to South Africa where the car is expected to go on sale by June.
The all-new Swift is manufactured at Suzuki’s fully-owned plant in Hansalpur, Gujarat. Production of the third generation Swift started at this facility in January 2018 and it was launched for the Indian market in February 2018.
The Hansalpur plant also manufactures the Baleno as well. Till now, the cars made here were for domestic sales. The all-new Swift is the first model from Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited destined for exports.
The first batch of the 2018 Suzuki Swift was shipped from Mumbai Port to South Africa, with Maruti Suzuki as its merchant exporter. Until last year, production of the export models took place at Maruti Suzuki’s facilities in Manesar and Gurgaon.
Export of vehicles from India is expanding to over 100 countries and regions including Europe, Japan, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In FY2017, the total number of exports of Maruti Suzuki reached to 1,26,000 units registering a growth of 102% year-on-year.
The Gujarat Plant No.1 has an annual production capacity of 2,50,000 units. Plant No.2 is being constructed and will start operations in the beginning of 2019, while Plant No.3 is also being planned. The total combined annual production capacity of these three plants would be 7,50,000 units.
