Maruti Suzuki’s Fronx Hits Japanese Roads: A Milestone for India’s Auto Exports

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has announced a significant development for Maruti Suzuki India, as the company begins exporting its sports utility vehicle, the Fronx, to Japan. This export is seen as a major boost to India’s global reputation. Maruti Suzuki’s first shipment included over 1,600 vehicles, which departed from Gujarat’s Pipavav port.

The Fronx is the first SUV from Maruti Suzuki to be introduced in the Japanese market. This model is exclusively produced at the company’s Gujarat facility, underscoring a strategic shift in global trade dynamics. Goyal, via social media, highlighted this as a proud moment, reflecting the changing times and the Modi government’s commitment over the past decade to bolster domestic manufacturing.

Maruti Suzuki has previously exported the Baleno to Japan in 2016, and the Fronx follows as the second model. Hisashi Takeuchi, Maruti Suzuki India’s CEO, emphasized the company’s capability to produce vehicles that meet the stringent quality and safety standards of one of the world’s most demanding automobile markets.

Initially showcased at the 2023 Auto Expo, the Fronx was launched in India on April 24, 2023. It quickly gained popularity, reaching 100,000 sales within ten months, making it the fastest-selling model in its category. In July 2023, the company expanded its export markets to include Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Since its introduction, the Fronx has achieved cumulative sales of over 200,000 units in both domestic and international markets.

Maruti Suzuki holds a significant 42% share in the export of passenger vehicles from India. In the April-June quarter of the current fiscal year, the company achieved a record export of 70,560 units, marking the highest Q1 exports in its history.