According to the report, the proposed plants would increase Toyota’s manufacturing footprint in India to six facilities, with the company already operating three plants in southern India.New Delhi: Japanese automaker Toyota Motor is planning to build three new vehicle assembly plants in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, as global carmakers increasingly shift focus from slowing markets such as the US and China to emerging growth markets, according to a report by the Nikkei.
The report said the new facilities could triple Toyota’s production capacity in India to around 1 million units by the 2030s, with total investment estimated at approximately 300 billion yen ($1.91 billion), Reuters reported.
According to the report, the proposed plants would increase Toyota’s manufacturing footprint in India to six facilities, with the company already operating three plants in southern India. While the existing southern plants primarily cater to the domestic market, the new Maharashtra facilities are expected to support exports as well, the report added.
Toyota currently has production capacity of 3.1 million units in Japan, 2.2 million units in China, and 1.5 million units in the US, as per Japanese research firm Fourin. With the proposed expansion, India would become Toyota’s fourth-largest production base globally, the Nikkei report said.
The report also said Toyota is expected to manufacture plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) in India as part of its strategy to cater to environmentally conscious consumers and expand its electrified portfolio.
Toyota has been strengthening its presence in India through its partnership with Suzuki Motor Corporation and has been expanding its product line-up in the market, with a focus on hybrid technology.
