India becomes Toyota's next big bet: a new SUV plant rises in Maharashtra

© A. Krivonosov

Toyota is expanding production in India and preparing a new Toyota Kirloskar Motor plant in the Bidkin Industrial Area, in the state of Maharashtra. As the brand’s press office told SPEEDME, the launch is scheduled for the first half of 2029, and the first model to roll off the line will be a new SUV.

The site is designed for 100,000 vehicles a year and is meant to serve not only Indian buyers but also surrounding regions. In other words, it’s a facility that could become part of the brand’s export network.

The plant will handle the core production processes: stamping, welding, painting and assembly. At launch, around 2,800 employees are expected on site. The signal to the market is simple: Toyota is betting on further demand growth and is reinforcing its base in advance to react faster to shifts.

The main intrigue — the SUV itself. Toyota isn’t yet revealing the model, dimensions or technical details, but the release specifically mentions HEV and carbon neutrality. So a hybrid-focused car looks like the logical bet, especially given that Toyota has long worked in tandem with Suzuki in India and focuses on mass-market, affordable models.

The Indian market is becoming increasingly important for global brands. Demand for crossovers is rising, buyers are price-sensitive, and local production helps keep costs down and reduces dependence on imports. Toyota’s new plant fits this logic perfectly: more localization, more flexibility, and a better chance of bringing the SUV to market at a competitive price.

The first cars are still a few years away, but the direction is already clear: Toyota is reinforcing India as one of its key production hubs, and the new SUV could turn out to be a regional model rather than a local novelty.