Saturday, 19 July 2025

Made-in-India cars redefine Japan’s market


In a remarkable shift, Indian-made cars are gaining immense popularity in Japan, with Suzuki Motor emerging as the country’s top car importer in June 2025, overtaking luxury giant Mercedes Benz. This milestone was achieved by exporting 4,800 vehicles from India - a staggering 230-fold increase from the previous year.
At the heart of this success is the Jimny Nomad, a compact SUV priced around $18,000, which received 50,000 pre-orders in Japan before launch, forcing Suzuki to pause new orders within just four days due to overwhelming demand. Another Indian-made model, the Franks SUV, has also been added to Suzuki’s Japanese portfolio.
Honda has followed suit, with its Indian-made WR-V SUV driving a 22-fold increase in its Japanese imports. These successes are not isolated incidents but part of a broader trend positioning India as a rising global auto manufacturing hub.
The key appeal of Indian vehicles in Japan lies in their affordability, reliability, and suitability for compact urban environments—needs that align well with Japanese consumers’ expectations. Despite being built for Indian roads, these vehicles perform well in Japan, outpacing established American brands like GM and Ford, which struggle to adapt.
Behind this transformation is Suzuki’s long-term strategy in India, built over decades through investment in local talent, efficient production systems, and low-cost operations. As a result, India is not only exporting vehicles but also earning global respect for quality and innovation.
Looking ahead, Suzuki aims to control 50% of India's car market by 2030 and anticipates annual auto sales in India to reach 20 million by 2047. The export boom is already visible, with Indian car exports to Japan reaching $616 million in the first nine months of 2024-25—triple the previous year's total. Other top destinations include Mexico, Australia, and South Africa.
India’s growing presence in global markets is proof that it can build world-class vehicles that appeal even in traditionally quality-conscious nations like Japan. The wheels of change began turning in India - and now they are accelerating across the globe.
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* Indian Roadie News 

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