Suzuki unveils e-Vitara, its first EV, in Europe

Suzuki Motor Corporation has unveiled its first mass-production battery electric vehicle (BEV) model, the e-Vitara, in Milan, Italy. Production will commence at Suzuki Motor Gujarat in India in spring 2025, with sales expected to begin in various countries, including Europe, India, and Japan, around summer 2025.

The e-Vitara is based on the concept model “eVX,” which was showcased at the Auto Expo held in India in January 2023, and at the Japan Mobility Show October of the same year. It marks Suzuki's first global strategic BEV model. The automaker is yet to reveal the driving range of the e-Vitara.

“The e-Vitara is our first BEV, developed through repeated trial and error to create an easy-to-use BEV for our customers. In order to realise a carbon-neutral society, we will provide a variety of options, including BEVs, hybrid vehicles, and CNG vehicles, tailored to specific regions. Introduction of the e VITARA represents a significant milestone in achieving carbon neutrality. Following the launch of the e VITARA, we will continue to expand our BEV lineup and propose mobility solutions tailored to the needs of specific countries and regions,” says Toshihiro Suzuki, representative director and president, Suzuki Motor Corporation.

The e VITARA features a newly developed platform “HEARTECT-e” specifically for BEVs. It features a lightweight structure, high-voltage protection, and a spacious interior due to the short overhang, the automaker says. The main floor eliminates the underfloor members to maximise battery capacity.

“The European market, which is at the forefront of automotive technology, has been a very important market for Suzuki, and will continue to be,” says Suzuki.

“In fiscal year 2023, we achieved revenue of 5.4 trillion yen with 3.2 million cars and 1.9 million motorcycles sold. And most recently in the first half of this fiscal year, for automobile business, we sold nearly 1.6 million units—which is a 2% year-on-year increase globally. And 118,000 units here in Europe - a 5% year-on-year increase,” says Suzuki.

“In our growth strategy for fiscal year 2030, which we announced last year, we have positioned Europe, India and Japan as key business regions. In Europe and Japan, we aim to create new technologies and products, and will continue to refine them. In India, we aim to meet the expectations of both customers and society by establishing roots that are large, deep, and wide-reaching,” Suzuki says.

“Suzuki is pursuing to achieve carbon neutral society by minimising use of energy. We will invest not only in Battery EVs but also hybrids and ICEs that run on fuels such as CNG, biofuel, and ethanol, and will provide the right solutions in the right places,” Suzuki adds.

Earlier this year, Maruti Suzuki India managing director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said the carmaker will introduce multiple EVs at multiple price points. “The first EV will be an SUV (sport utility vehicle) for long cruising distance. But we have to have multiple price points for our EVs,” Takeuchi said.