Toyota Kirloskar Motor has announced plans to set up a new vehicle manufacturing plant in India. The upcoming facility will be located in the vicinity of Bidkin Industrial Area 20 km south of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra, and aims to start production in the first half of 2029. The new plant aims to strengthen Toyota’s business foundation in India, while also meeting export demand from surrounding regions.
Toyota strengthens SUV strategy
With this move, Toyota is significantly expanding its long-term manufacturing presence in India amid the growing demand for SUVs and electrified vehicles. The company said the new facility will help it respond more flexibly to future market changes and growing customer demand in both domestic and export markets.
Toyota’s new plant will start Annual production capacity of 1 lakh vehicles And it is expected to create approximately 2,800 jobs upon commencement of operations. Manufacturing activities at the facility will include stamping, welding, painting and final assembly operations. Toyota has officially confirmed that the plant will build a new SUV, although specific product details have not been announced yet.
However, sources say that the upcoming SUV could be the new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ, also known as the FJ Cruiser globally. India, along with Thailand, will emerge as one of Toyota’s major global manufacturing hubs for the Land Cruiser FJ.
Local FJ Cruiser production expected
Toyota showcased the Land Cruiser FJ at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, where it emerged as one of the highlights of the brand. Positioned as the most accessible Land Cruiser model globally, the FJ Cruiser is expected to combine strong off-road capability with a more compact footprint and modern hybrid powertrain options.
The SUV is expected to be based on Toyota’s IMV ladder-frame platform, on which the Fortuner, Hilux and Innova Crysta are also based. Reports suggest that the Land Cruiser FJ will be around 4.57 meters long. The short wheelbase and compact dimensions are expected to give it strong off-road agility.
Toyota is also expected to introduce petrol, strong hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain options with the FJ Cruiser globally. India is likely to get petrol and hybrid variants, while the diesel may be skipped. Expected engine options include Toyota’s 2.7-litre petrol engine mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
India will play a bigger global role
Toyota said its growth journey in India has progressed in tandem with the growth of the Indian automotive industry and the local supplier ecosystem. The company said it is committed to contributing to India’s industrial and economic growth through future investments and manufacturing expansion.
The Bidkin Industrial Area is fast emerging as a major automotive and industrial hub under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor project. Toyota’s new facility is expected to further strengthen Maharashtra’s position as a major automotive manufacturing destination in India.
Currently, Toyota Kirloskar Motor operates two manufacturing plants in Bidadi, Karnataka. The first plant has an installed annual production capacity of 3.2 lakh units and manufactures the Innova Highcross, Innova Crysta and Fortuner. The second plant has a capacity of 2.1 lakh units and produces the Camry Hybrid, Urban Cruiser Hyundai and Hilux.
The addition of the third manufacturing facility in Maharashtra signals Toyota’s aggressive expansion plans for India. The move is also in line with Toyota’s broader strategy to establish India as a major global manufacturing and export hub for future SUV products and electrified vehicles.