Q&A with Maruti Suzuki's MD Hisashi Takeuchi: Doubling sales, EV plans and more | @autocarindia1

Maruti Suzuki’s next phase of growth

Maruti Suzuki’s Managing Director & CEO Hisashi Takeuchi says the company is entering the next phase of growth from a strong position and is not feeling pressured by rivals, aiming to further extend its lead.

Performance and challenges (semiconductors)

Takeuchi describes the first half of the year as very satisfactory, supported by positive factors including commodity prices and an easing environment around issues like semiconductor supply.

How Maruti responded previously

On semiconductors, Takeuchi notes Maruti previously faced heavy suffering due to supply constraints and responded by:

• Starting direct communication with major semiconductor suppliers (rather than relying only on tier-one intermediaries), improving alignment on demand and preparedness.
• Working with R&D to reduce the number of semiconductors per vehicle—using design/specification changes to cut components while maintaining product variety, enabling more cars to be produced.

Product strategy: balancing expansion and cannibalization

Maruti is expanding its lineup across two channels: Nexa and Arena, aiming to fill remaining gaps in segments and serve customer demand.

Takeuchi acknowledges that some cannibalization is unavoidable if similar products/price points exist across channels. However, he argues that it is preferable to losing share to other brands, with the priority being meeting customer needs.

Maruti 3.0: capacity doubling and aggressive exports

Under “Maruti 3.0,” Maruti plans to double capacity by the end of the decade, moving from 2 million to 4 million vehicles.

Export growth targets

Exports are a key pillar:

• Exports of 259,000 units last year are targeted to rise to over 750,000 units by 2030 (about three times).
• The plan requires more export models and new destination markets.
• Takeuchi mentions strong coordination with Suzuki Motor Company to maximize export potential.
• He indicates EVs will play an important role in export growth, with EVs produced in India being exported to future markets.

Powertrain strategy: EV alongside IC improvements, not replacement

Takeuchi frames the approach as doing EVs “through as much as we can,” but says not all vehicles can be replaced by EVs in the near future.

For remaining IC vehicles, Maruti will focus on lowering CO₂ by deploying additional technologies where beneficial, including:

• CNG
• biogas
• hybrid
• flex fuel
• and other CO₂-reducing options

Investment trade-off logic

When discussing investment priorities, he highlights:

• EVs are a strong CO₂ lever, so they will receive major investment.
• Hybrid and IC-related technologies are relatively easier to introduce because they’re already mature/established and require less R&D than brand-new technologies.

“Budget/small car” commitment

Takeuchi says Maruti’s entry-level small car segment remains the “DNA” of the company and is central to delivering the “joy of mobility.”

• He acknowledges the segment has become more expensive due to increasing regulations and costs.
• His message: Maruti will not give up on small cars and will work to reduce production costs, expecting the segment to revive as India’s purchasing power grows.

Notes on future niche opportunities

Asked about potential niches below/around Alto-sized segments, Takeuchi suggests market trends may open opportunities—especially as SUV sizes expand, potentially creating space for smaller SUVs (citing products like Espresso, which is already moving in that direction).

Presenters / contributors

• Hisashi Takeuchi (Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited)
• Interviewer / host (unidentified; speaks to Takeuchi and asks questions)