Toyota's Upcoming Maharashtra Plant To Produce A New SUV, But Which One?

Hari Babu

June 17, 2026

Toyota's Upcoming Maharashtra Plant To Produce A New SUV, But Which One?

Toyota's upcoming Maharashtra factory is expected to start operations in 2029 and will produce SUVs

Toyota Kirloskar Motor has shared plans to open a new car factory in Maharashtra last month. Scheduled to begin operations in the first half of 2029, the facility will become Toyota's third manufacturing plant in India after its two existing units in Karnataka. The company is expected to use the new plant to produce a yet-to-be-named SUV for both the Indian market and exports.

New factory will be located in the Bidkin Industrial Area with an initial production capacity of one lakh vehicles per year. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs in the region. Toyota has not named the new SUV yet, but industry reports have linked the plant to several possible products.

Which SUV Could It Be?

Since Toyota already sells many types of cars, the new model might fill a gap in its lineup. One possibility is a seven-seater version of the Corolla Cross. This larger SUV would have a monocoque body structure and could compete with models such as the Mahindra XUV700, Tata Safari, and Hyundai Alcazar.

Another possibility is the Land Cruiser FJ, a rugged off-road SUV with a body-on-frame design. It would use the IMV platform, which also underpins the Fortuner, and could serve as a premium alternative for buyers considering the Mahindra Thar or Force Gurkha. There are also rumors about a three-row version of the Hyryder or a new electric van, but those models could be produced elsewhere.

Toyota has been performing strongly in the Indian market in recent years. The Innova and Fortuner continue to be among its best-known models, while the company's hybrid portfolio has also contributed to sales growth. By opening this new plant in Maharashtra, Toyota will expand its production capacity for both domestic and export markets.

Why This New Plant Matters

Toyota's new Maharashtra plant appears to address a challenge the company is already facing. Its two existing factories at Bidadi, Karnataka, currently have a combined annual production capacity of 3.42 lakh units, and an ongoing expansion is expected to add another one lakh units. With Toyota selling more than three lakh vehicles in India during FY26, production capacity is gradually becoming tighter. Long waiting periods for popular models such as the Innova HyCross also suggest that demand has been putting pressure on the company's manufacturing network.

The location of the new plant is equally important. It will be built in the Bidkin Industrial Area, which is part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. Compared with Toyota's Karnataka facilities, this gives the company easier access to ports on India's west coast, making exports to markets such as the Middle East and Africa more efficient. That also fits with Toyota's plan to use the facility for both domestic sales and exports.

The new factory could also mark a change in Toyota's product strategy for India. Several of the brand's current models, including the Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Taisor and Glanza, are based on platforms shared with Maruti Suzuki. Industry reports suggest the Maharashtra plant could produce a completely Toyota-developed SUV instead. If that happens, it would give Toyota a stronger opportunity to expand its own SUV portfolio in India rather than relying mainly on shared products.

Hari Babu

I’m Hari Babu, a freelance automotive journalist with over three years of experience covering the Indian automobile industry. I report on car and bike news, launch updates, and industry developments across India. I currently serve as Content Head at Gaadi Journal.

Toyota's Upcoming Maharashtra Plant To Produce A New SUV, But Which One?