Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini met Suzuki Motor Corporation CEO Toshihiro Suzuki in New Delhi on Thursday, April 23, where the Japanese automaker's top executive reaffirmed the company's commitment to deepening its footprint in Haryana and signalled that the state could become the preferred destination for a future electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant. The high-level meeting underscored the strengthening industrial and cultural bonds between India and Japan.

Haryana as Preferred EV Investment Destination

CEO Toshihiro Suzuki stated clearly that if Suzuki Motor decides to manufacture electric vehicles and establish a new production facility in the future, Haryana would be their first choice for investment. This is a significant signal for the state's industrial landscape, given that EV manufacturing is one of the most competitive and high-value sectors in India's evolving automotive ecosystem.

In the near term, the CEO confirmed that Suzuki Motor will concentrate on hybrid and CNG vehicles for the Indian market, reflecting a phased approach to clean mobility rather than an abrupt pivot to full electrification. He also confirmed that strong hybrid vehicles will be manufactured at the company's Kharkhoda plant in Haryana.

Biogas Expansion and Green Energy Push

Toshihiro Suzuki revealed that the company is making substantial strides in the compressed biogas (CBG) sector and intends to scale up investment in this domain. Suzuki Motor plans to establish nine biogas plants across India, of which two have already been operationalised. This positions Suzuki as not just an automaker but a broader clean energy player in India's green transition.

CM Saini assured the CEO of the Haryana government's full cooperation in facilitating smooth production and sales operations, reinforcing the state's reputation as an investor-friendly destination.

Exclusive SGST Incentives and Long-Standing Partnership

Chief Minister Saini highlighted that Suzuki Motor holds a unique distinction — it is the only company to have received SGST (State Goods and Services Tax) incentives from the Haryana government, underscoring the depth of the state's commitment to retaining and rewarding the Japanese automaker's presence. This exclusive benefit reflects the economic significance Suzuki commands in the region, particularly through its parent relationship with Maruti Suzuki, which has been manufacturing in Gurugram and Manesar for decades.

Reflecting on Suzuki's India journey dating back to 1982–83, CEO Toshihiro Suzuki acknowledged that while working styles between India and Japan differ, the deep cultural and operational similarities have been the bedrock of a four-decade-strong partnership. This historical continuity gives Suzuki's renewed investment pledges added credibility.

Cultural Diplomacy: Gita Jayanti Mahotsav in Japan

CM Saini announced that an International Gita Jayanti Mahotsav will be organised in Japan in June to strengthen cultural ties between Haryana and Japan. He personally invited CEO Toshihiro Suzuki to attend the International Gita Seminar as a distinguished guest at Tokyo University on June 20.

The Chief Minister also requested Suzuki's CEO to facilitate a collaboration between the Kurukshetra Development Board and a reputed Japanese social organisation to ensure broader participation of Japanese citizens in the cultural event. CEO Toshihiro Suzuki agreed to consider the proposal, signalling goodwill beyond the boardroom.

Why This Investment Signal Matters for Haryana

This meeting comes at a pivotal moment for Haryana's industrial policy. The state has been aggressively positioning itself as a manufacturing hub, and a potential Suzuki EV plant would represent one of the largest greenfield automotive investments in the region. The Kharkhoda industrial corridor, already earmarked for Maruti Suzuki's expansion, could anchor an entire EV supply chain ecosystem — generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

Notably, Maruti Suzuki's parent company Suzuki Motor has been navigating India's EV transition cautiously, prioritising hybrids and CNG as intermediate steps — a strategy that diverges from some rivals but aligns with India's current fuel and infrastructure realities. Haryana's proactive outreach, including exclusive fiscal incentives, appears to be bearing fruit in securing future commitments.

With the Kharkhoda plant set to begin hybrid vehicle production and nine biogas plants in the pipeline, Suzuki Motor's India strategy is entering a transformative new phase — and Haryana is positioning itself at the centre of it. All eyes will now be on the June 20 Tokyo University event and any formal investment announcements that may follow.