TL;DR
Maruti Suzuki is implementing new quality control measures, including a mandatory weekly production shutdown for suppliers, to uphold vehicle quality amidst plans to nearly double its production capacity to 4 million units annually by 2030.
Maruti Suzuki, India's largest car manufacturer, is taking significant steps to enhance the quality of its vehicles as it plans a substantial increase in its annual production capacity. The company aims to reach 4 million units by 2030, a considerable jump from its current 2.4 million.
To ensure that this surge in volume does not compromise quality, Suzuki Motor has reportedly instructed its Indian suppliers to implement a mandatory one-day weekly shutdown of production machinery for maintenance. This directive, a first of its kind from Suzuki to its Indian partners, is designed to minimize breakdowns, enhance safety, and maintain consistent component quality.
Suppliers are expected to transition to an operating model of 20 hours a day for six days a week by September 2027, allowing for four hours of nightly downtime and a full day for maintenance. This strategic move underscores India's growing importance as Suzuki's largest market and a crucial export hub, with Indian-made models, such as the five-door Jimny, already seeing high demand in international markets including Japan.
