Maruti Reduces e-Vitara EV Production Due to China’s Export Restrictions

Maruti Suzuki has decided to cut down the production of its new electric SUV, the e-Vitara, for the first half of this financial year. The company had planned to make 26,500 units between April and September, but now it will produce only 8,200. The main reason for this big reduction is a shortage of important materials from China.

China recently put restrictions on the export of rare-earth metals, which are used to make powerful magnets for electric vehicle (EV) motors. Since China controls most of the world’s supply of these rare-earth materials, companies across the globe, including Maruti, are now facing delays in getting what they need to make EVs.

Even though production is being slowed down, Maruti says it still plans to launch the e-Vitara on time. The company also hopes to catch up later in the year by increasing production from October to March, aiming to produce nearly 58,800 units in that period.

The e-Vitara is an important part of Maruti’s push into electric vehicles, as India works toward its goal of having 30% of all new cars sold as EVs by 2030. However, Maruti is entering the EV market later than some of its competitors like Tata Motors and Mahindra, who already have electric cars on the road.

Maruti also plans to meet its full-year target of making around 67,000 electric vehicles by March 2026, even with this early setback.

This issue isn’t just affecting Maruti—other global carmakers like Ford, BMW, and Nissan are also struggling with the shortage caused by China’s export curbs. The Indian government is now looking for ways to produce rare-earth materials within the country so that Indian manufacturers don’t have to depend so much on foreign suppliers in the future.

In simple terms, Maruti is facing some bumps on the road due to a global supply problem but is still moving ahead with its EV plans.