Re: Maruti-Suzuki to launch its first electric vehicle in India by 2025 Quote:
Originally Posted by audioholic Few more thoughts from my side based on your observations. You are right in saying that there is a lot of things happening with the collaboration with Toyota. For European markets, this was needed. Now in the European markets, Suzuki had and has been doing a lot more in terms of technology and innovation compared to what happens in the Indian market. The same cars in Europe get better powertrain, safety features and equipment compared to India. Hence, if they have launched cars like A-Cross in Europe, I can only wish that they do it in India as well. But given how Maruti is conservative, I dont think that would happen.
When Tata can offer a Nexon EV, MG ZS, what stops the Market leader from showing the way and getting an EV sooner than 2025? Being the market leader, they can promise better volumes to suppliers, which would get them pricing advantage in return and which in turn, due to the reach of MSIL in the country promise a better response from customers. The AMT technology was first introduced by Maruti in India, and at a time when automatic transmissions werent so popular as a choice. But after Maruti started selling AMT cars, the demand went up and it became a popular choice, in spite of it not being a good choice in terms of driveability.
Ideally, I would have expected a WagonR EV by now in the market. Or at least by the end of this year. When Maruti could make use of the FAME subsidy by passing off its SHVS as a hybrid, it would not let go of the EV concessions too. And no one can push for changes in supply chain/vendors as good as Maruti can.
Forget the smaller cars. But the flagship cars like Ciaz, XL6 and the S-Cross badly need better powertrain(towards at least providing a hybrid as an option) and an electric counterpart. That can trickle down to small cars later since thats going to be price sensitive. But it pains to see that nothing much seems to be happening in that direction. |
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
You would not want to call Suzuki Europe innovative by any standards. They offer better engines and more kits simply because they can price the car much higher here than in India. As a reference the base model swift is sold for 13000 GBP.
I assume Suzuki will not launch rebadged Toyota products as they do not make sense. You cannot make them cheap enough. You might recall that Toyota had to create new low cost platforms for India which delivered the Etios series.
On the point of showing the way, for electrics this is not a competition on who builds it first. Tata might have already nailed it.
Mass producing BEV needs massive investment. A lot of components need to be imported and our tax structures are counter productive.
I have read somewhere that since the FAME scheme was started only 500 out of 10,000 odd crores have been spent(might have to do with pandemic). So where will the localisation come from?
If the priority is to switch to green cars, import relaxation should be provided for components. In my view fully built cars should also be allowed to enter market with low import duties as long as they are battery powered.
Simulatenously a plan for local manufacturing and roadmap for transition from imports to 'made in India' needs to be put in place.
Presently, I do not see any EV policy which focuses on rapid transition. They are focused around Make in India pitch. I will be not surprised if automotive lobby in India (the MS, Mahindra and likes) are dictating these policies. There are no non governmental organizations vocalyly lobbying for green sector or green vehicle. |