Yamaha’s Chennai Factory Marks a Decade of Manufacturing Excellence

Yamaha’s Chennai Factory Marks a Decade of Manufacturing Excellence

India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt Ltd has achieved a significant milestone in its manufacturing journey with the completion of 10 years of operations at its Chennai Factory. Reinforcing its role as a critical production base for both domestic and global markets, the company also celebrated the roll-out of its five millionth two-wheeler from this state-of-the-art facility—an Aerox 155 Version S that marked the milestone.
 Over the past decade, the Chennai plant has become a cornerstone of Yamaha’s global operations to serve both Indian customers and export markets. It currently manufactures Yamaha’s hybrid scooter range including the RayZR 125 Fi and Fascino 125 Fi, along with the performance-oriented Aerox 155 Version S. From an export standpoint, the facility also produces the FZ series, the Saluto range, and the Alpha scooter—reinforcing the factory’s role in delivering Yamaha's trusted quality to diverse global markets. More than 30% of the factory’s total output is exported, reflecting its manufacturing strength and global relevance.
Speaking on the occasion, Itaru Otani, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies, said, “The Chennai factory holds strategic importance in Yamaha’s global manufacturing network. It exemplifies our unwavering focus on people, processes, and products—driven by skilled employees, synchronized operations, and a strong commitment to global quality standards. As one of Yamaha’s most modern manufacturing facilities worldwide, it has supported India’s mobility aspirations while reinforcing its role as a trusted exporter to global markets. As we celebrate the roll-out of the 5 millionth two-wheeler, I extend my deepest appreciation to our dedicated employees, vendor partners and passionate customers who have made this journey possible. We will continue to progress, and Chennai factory will keep playing a major role in addressing the evolving customer demands in Indian and overseas markets.”
Spread across 177 acres, the Chennai factory operates with a unique integrated model—109 acres dedicated to IYM and 68 acres to co-located vendor partners—enabling seamless synchronization under a unified ‘One Factory’ concept. This approach has enhanced manufacturing efficiency, speed, and supply chain integration, making the facility one of Yamaha’s most advanced in the world.
Over the last decade, the Chennai manufacturing facility has been consistently upgraded to support Yamaha's evolving premium product strategy—producing high value-added motorcycles and scooters with small to midrange engine displacements. With India’s stringent emission regulations, Yamaha Motor Company Ltd. identified an opportunity to position this plant as a global export hub, delivering products that meet the highest standards of performance and compliance. Today, the factory supports Yamaha’s portfolio across segments—ranging from premium models for Indian customers to those tailored for markets in Europe, Latin America, ASEAN, and beyond. With its focus on quality, digital systems, and sustainable technologies, the facility is well-prepared for the future of smart and eco-friendly manufacturing.
Demonstrating Yamaha’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, the plant houses an installed solar power capacity of 4450 kW, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and supporting green manufacturing practices. The facility incorporates state-of-the-art infrastructure and advanced technologies for zero-water discharge and recycle/reuse of wastewater. It is also designed for maximum use of sunlight, and the buildings are compatible with solar power system installation. All common utilities are centrally located to minimize distribution loss and ensure centralized management, making it a model of sustainable industrial planning.
As Yamaha celebrates this dual milestone, the Chennai plant stands as a testament to the brand’s long-term commitment to make-in-India as a strong manufacturing and development hub of world-class two-wheelers. This achievement marks a significant step forward in strengthening Yamaha’s motorcycle business in Indian market with the unwavering support and loyal partnership of our enthusiastic customers who continue to inspire us at every step to push the limits of innovation and performance offering unique and enriching experiences worldwide.

Maruti Suzuki India Plots INR 49.6 Billion Investment For New Manufacturing Plant In Gujarat

Maruti Suzuki India

Maruti Suzuki India, a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation and the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced that it is set to acquire land from the Government of Gujarat for the construction of a new production facility.

The decision follows a basic agreement reached with the state government in January 2024 to establish a second manufacturing base in the region.

The site in Sanand covers approximately 1,750 acres valued at INR 49.6 billion. Once operational, the facility is expected to have an annual production capacity of 1 million units.

The company cited Gujarat’s supply chain, infrastructure and proximity to ports as factors for the selection. The location provides access to highway and railway networks, supporting its function as both a domestic production base and an export hub for vehicles.

Current and Planned Production Capacity

Plant Location

Start of Operations

Site Area (m²)

Annual Capacity (Units)

Gurgaon (Haryana)

1983

1.2 million

700,000

Manesar (Haryana)

2006

2.4 million

900,000

Hansalpur (Gujarat)

2017

2.6 million

750,000

Kharkhoda (Haryana)

2025

3.24 million

250,000

Sanand (Gujarat)

TBD

7 million

1,000,000

Ashok Leyland Inaugurates Greenfield Manufacturing Facility In Lucknow

Ashok Leyland - Lucknow

Ashok Leyland, one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers in the country, has opened a new integrated manufacturing facility in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

The greenfield facility, located near Lucknow Airport in Sarojini Nagar, was inaugurated by Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, alongside Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and H D Kumaraswamy.

The 70-acre site is designed to produce 5,000 vehicles annually, with a primary focus on electric buses and other green mobility solutions. The facility employs a workforce predominantly from Uttar Pradesh, including a high percentage of women. To support its sustainability goals, the plant features rooftop solar panels, energy-efficient lighting and zero-discharge water systems.

Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, Ashok Leyland, said, "The inauguration of this new plant marks the beginning of an important new chapter for Ashok Leyland in the vibrant state of Uttar Pradesh. Our Group remains deeply committed to unlocking further opportunities that drive economic growth, create meaningful employment, and foster long-term prosperity in the region. This manufacturing plant reaffirms our resolve to help shape the future of India’s commercial vehicle industry, and we are confident that it will make a strong contribution towards employment generation while advancing sustainable mobility. With this new plant, we are preparing ourselves for the future and take one step further to achieve our Net Zero emission goals."

Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, said, "As one of India’s largest and most progressive states, Uttar Pradesh has demonstrated a strong and consistent commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable development, making it a natural partner in our green mobility journey. This coupled with Ashok Leyland’s ambition to achieve Net Zero by 2048 has been a key catalyst for establishing this state-of-the-art facility in Uttar Pradesh. Equipped with most modern technology and high levels of automation, the plant reflects our focus on world-class quality and innovation. With a strong emphasis on electric buses, this facility marks a significant step towards building a cleaner, future-ready mobility ecosystem for India.”

The plant's logistics are managed using battery-operated vehicles to maintain its status as a green facility. This expansion aligns with Ashok Leyland's target to reach Net Zero emissions by 2048 and supports the state of Uttar Pradesh's transition toward electric transportation.

Bharat Forge And Agile Robots Ink MoU For AI Industrial Automation

Bharat Forge - Agile Robots

Bharat Forge and Germany-based Agile Robots have agreed to explore a collaboration to develop AI-driven robotics and industrial automation. The partnership combines Bharat Forge's domain expertise with Agile Robots' automation solutions to deploy technology for the automotive, healthcare, and consumer electronics industries.

The agreement focuses on civilian industry and manufacturing. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the companies will co-develop and offer solutions in manufacturing, industrial CPG and logistics for markets in India and Southeast Asia. The partnership also aims to develop vision and AI-based robotic systems to enable autonomous ‘dark’ factories.

Amit Kalyani, Vice-Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge, said, “This strategic collaboration with Agile Robots is a reinforcement of Bharat Forge’s ambition to provide state-of-the-art intelligent robotic and automation solutions across multiple industries while driving manufacturing efficiencies at home. Manufacturing in India is on a steep growth path, and I am very excited that with Agile Robots we are going to deploy bespoke, modular and intelligent automation solutions across the sectors.”

Rory Sexton, Executive Director, Agile Robots, said, “By partnering with Bharat Forge, Agile Robots is strengthening its position in India's rapidly growing manufacturing sector. Combining Agile Robots’ proven leadership in AI driven robotic automation with Bharat Forge’s sectoral expertise will allow us to improve the efficiency and precision of entire production systems.”

The collaboration intends to set up capabilities for bespoke solutions while utilizing existing Agile Robots technology. By integrating AI into production systems, the companies aim to improve precision and efficiency across manufacturing sectors in the region.

Hindustan Zinc, Silox India Strengthen Partnership For Low-Carbon Manufacturing

Hindustan Zinc - EcoZen

Hindustan Zinc and Silox India have expanded their long-term collaboration to focus on industrial decarbonisation and the development of sustainable supply chains. As part of the agreement, Silox India has adopted EcoZen, a low-carbon zinc brand produced by Hindustan Zinc, for use across its manufacturing operations. This integration is intended to reduce the carbon footprint of zinc-based chemical products while maintaining existing quality standards.

EcoZen is manufactured using renewable energy and has a verified carbon footprint of less than one tonne of CO2 per tonne of zinc. According to the company, this is approximately 75 percent lower than the global industry average. The material offers full traceability, allowing downstream users to account for the environmental impact of their inputs. When used in galvanising, EcoZen can prevent approximately 400 kilograms of CO2 emissions per tonne of steel compared to conventional zinc.

Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, supplies materials to various sectors including infrastructure, automotive and renewables. The company is a member of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and has prioritised the reduction of Scope 3 emissions for its clients. Silox India, which specialises in inorganic chemistry and non-ferrous metal derivatives, will use EcoZen to support its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets.

Arun Misra, Chief Executive Officer & Whole-time Director, Hindustan Zinc, said, “Decarbonisation at Hindustan Zinc is not limited to our own operations; it extends to how our products are used across industries. EcoZen represents a step change in how zinc can support cleaner manufacturing. By partnering with customers like Silox India, we are enabling the wider adoption of low-carbon solutions at scale.”

Prakash Raman, Managing Director, Silox India, said, “Integrating EcoZen into our manufacturing processes allows us to lower embedded emissions across our product portfolio while continuing to deliver high-performance solutions to our customers. This partnership demonstrates how upstream innovation can accelerate sustainability outcomes downstream.”

The partnership aligns with the increasing demand for low-carbon materials in the automotive and infrastructure sectors. EcoZen is supported by life-cycle assessments and globally recognised ISO and REACH certifications to ensure transparency and compliance with environmental regulations.