Japanese auto maker Suzuki Motor laid foundation stone at its JPY60bn ($509m) vehicle manufacturing facility in Gujarat, India.
The company is planning to set up three plants in the Indian state at an investment of Rs 80bn ($1.3bn).
The plants will exclusively supply to Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) and will be distributed through MSIL's sales network.
The first plant is expected to commence production in 2017, and is likely to have production capacity of 250,000 units.
The three plants are expected to have total production capacity of 750,000 vehicles, reported Economic Times.
The facility is also in line with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative.
Foundation stone ceremony was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and Suzuki Executive Vice President Toshihiro Suzuki.
Suzuki CEO Osamu Suzuki said: "To build our new plant in Gujarat is the opening of a new era for us, and it is the 2nd Suzuki Project in India.
"Under the "Make in India" program proposed by the Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, we will set up a state-of-the-art production plant here in Gujarat, with high focus on productivity and efficiency.
"New plant will start with the annual production capacity of 250,000. We would like to work together, and supply our products to the people of India and the world."
Image: foundation stone ceremony of Suzuki's Vehicle manufacturing facility in Gujarat. Photo: courtesy of Suzuki Motor Corporation.
