Maruti Suzuki’s debut in India’s electric vehicle (EV) landscape has hit an unexpected roadblock. The country’s largest carmaker has drastically scaled down production targets for its first all-electric SUV, the e-Vitara, slashing planned output for the April–September period by over 65 per cent, a Reuters report has stated. Internal records disclose that the automaker now seeks to manufacture only 8,200 units within this timeframe, a steep reduction from its original 26,500 units.

The action is due to a shortage of supply of rare earth materials—key elements that are part of EV components such as magnets and motors. China, which dominates the provision of these materials, has made them more difficult to obtain under tightened export controls. The control is part of an overarching geopolitical agenda by China, with the consequence cascading across the world's auto supply chains.

Read Also: Rare Earth Magnet Shortage Sparks Panic in Indian Auto Sector: Challenges and Future Solutions
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