Maruti Suzuki India has officially inaugurated its Kharkhoda manufacturing plant in Haryana, establishing a new smart factory designed to support the company’s long-term production expansion while showcasing advanced Industry 5.0 manufacturing technologies.
The 800-acre facility, developed with a planned investment of approximately INR 350 billion (US$3.85 billion), begins operations with an annual production capacity of 500,000 vehicles and is expected to expand to one million units at full scale.
The inauguration ceremony was attended virtually by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Smart Factory Built for Large-Scale Production
The Kharkhoda plant forms a key part of Maruti Suzuki’s strategy to increase its total manufacturing capacity to four million vehicles annually.
Once fully expanded, the facility is expected to rank among the world’s largest automobile manufacturing plants while supporting the creation of more than 21,000 jobs.
The factory has been developed using Suzuki’s Smart Factory concept, integrating Industry 5.0 technologies that combine automation with human-centered manufacturing.
Collaborative robots are deployed alongside production workers to improve manufacturing efficiency, flexibility and quality throughout vehicle assembly.
Renewable Energy Powers Manufacturing
Sustainability is central to the engineering design of the Kharkhoda facility.
The plant operates entirely on renewable electricity, supported by an on-site 20 MWp solar power system that is planned to expand to 70 MWp by 2030.
Additional energy infrastructure includes green electricity procurement, a biogas plant and battery energy storage systems to improve energy reliability.
The manufacturing site also operates under a zero liquid discharge system, enabling wastewater to be treated and reused while minimizing environmental impact.
India Becomes Global Manufacturing Hub
Suzuki Motor Corporation President Toshihiro Suzuki said India has become increasingly important within the company’s global manufacturing network.
He highlighted that Suzuki’s first battery-electric vehicle, the e VITARA, is manufactured exclusively at Maruti Suzuki’s Gujarat facility for export to around 100 countries.
“Over the years, India’s importance has grown significantly within the Suzuki Group.”
He added:
“Thanks to exports of Made in India cars, Suzuki has become the largest car importer in Japan, one of the most demanding automobile markets. This shift is a strong reflection of how ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ is unfolding in practice, demonstrating growing global trust in India’s quality, capability, and advancement in manufacturing.”
The Kharkhoda facility further strengthens India’s role as a global automotive production hub while demonstrating how advanced manufacturing technologies, renewable energy integration and large-scale vehicle production can be combined within a next-generation smart factory.
