Maruti Suzuki Plans to Shift 35% of Vehicle Transport to Railways in 7-8 Years, Says CEO Hisashi Takeuchi

Maruti Suzuki India aims to use Indian Railways to transport 35% of its vehicles in the next 7-8 years, said MD and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi. The company has already increased its use of railways from 5% in 2014-15 to 21.5% in 2023-24.

Growth in Railway Transport

The number of vehicles Maruti Suzuki sends by train has grown from 65,700 units in 2014-15 to 4,47,750 units in 2023-24. With plans to double its production capacity from 2 million to 4 million units by 2030-31, the company expects to increase railway transport to 35%.

Commitment to Green Logistics

Maruti Suzuki has transported over 2 million vehicles using Indian Railways, reaching 20 destinations and over 450 cities. The company started using railways for vehicle transport over a decade ago and was the first in India to get an Automobile-Freight-Train-Operator license. This initiative has led to significant environmental benefits, including a reduction of 10,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions and saving 270 million litres of fuel.

Support for National Goals

Maruti Suzuki supports India’s net zero emissions target by 2070. Earlier this year, under the PM Gati Shakti programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the country’s first in-plant railway siding at Maruti Suzuki’s Gujarat facility, which can dispatch 3 lakh vehicles annually. Another in-plant railway siding is being developed at the Manesar facility and will be operational soon.