Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) is preparing for a seismic shift in the Indian automotive landscape. In a bid to solidify its position as a top-tier player, the Japanese auto giant has unveiled an aggressive roadmap that includes four new manufacturing facilities and the launch of a brand-new, three-row SUV: the 7-seater Toyota Corolla SUV.
This expansion marks one of the most significant investment waves by Toyota in India over the last decade, aiming to transform the country into a global export hub.
Quadrupling Down on Manufacturing
Currently operating two plants in Bidadi, Karnataka, TKM is racing against time to scale capacity. The company’s immediate milestone is the inauguration of its third Bidadi plant later this year, which will add 1 lakh units to the existing 3.4 lakh unit capacity.
However, the headline-grabbing move is the massive greenfield project in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra. While two factories in Maharashtra were previously announced, a fresh report confirms a third facility at the same location.
Toyota will inject roughly 300 billion Yen (approx. ₹18,163 crore) into this Maharashtra project. Construction is underway, with the first line scheduled to go live by 2029. The subsequent two lines will follow soon after, ramping up production through the next decade.
India: The Fourth Pillar of Toyota Global Production
Once these four new plants (1 in Karnataka + 3 in Maharashtra) are fully operational, India will leapfrog other regions to become Toyota’s fourth-largest production base globally, trailing only Japan, China, and the United States.
Unlike the current setup, which serves mostly domestic needs, the upcoming Maharashtra factories are strategically designed for export. These facilities will cater to high-demand markets in the Middle East and Africa, positioning India as a low-cost, high-quality export hub for Toyota’s global supply chain.
GLOBO24.COM
The Star Attraction: 7-Seater Corolla SUV
While the factory news excites investors, the product news excites buyers. Toyota is finally bringing a three-row version of the popular Corolla SUV to India.
Sources suggest this will likely be the second generation of the Corolla Cross, built on an evolved version of the TNGA-C platform (internally codenamed ‘900D’). The new architecture is designed to accommodate three rows of seats, making it a direct rival to the Hyundai Alcazar, Tata Safari, and the upcoming Mahindra XUV700 facelift.
The “900D” platform is a flexible masterpiece. It will support:
- Multiple body styles: Hatchbacks to MPVs.
- Advanced powertrains: Full-hybrid (strong hybrid) and, for the first time in this segment for Toyota India, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) technology.
What About the Engines?
The upcoming Maharashtra facility isn’t just about metal stamping; it’s about future fuels. The plant is specifically geared to manufacture models with Plug-in Hybrid powertrains. This suggests the 7-seater Corolla SUV, or its sibling—the retro-styled Land Cruiser FJ—could be among the first Toyotas in India to offer a plug-in hybrid option, allowing for short all-electric commutes with the backup of a petrol engine.
The Road Ahead for Toyota India
With 44% growth in April 2026 (32,000+ units sold) already under its belt, Toyota is riding a wave of success. The addition of the 7-seater Corolla SUV will plug a critical gap in their portfolio between the Urban Cruiser Hyryder and the Fortuner.
Summary of the Master Plan:
- Current Capacity: 3.4 lakh units (Bidadi).
- 2026 Capacity: 4.4 lakh units (Adding Bidadi Plant 3).
- 2029+ Capacity: Significant increase via Maharashtra (3 new plants).
- Key Product: 7-Seater Corolla SUV (Based on new TNGA-C ‘900D’ platform).
- Export Markets: Middle East & Africa.
By the turn of the decade, Toyota won’t just be a player in India; it will be a powerhouse manufacturing everything from compact SUVs to plug-in hybrids for the planet. The 7-seater Corolla SUV is just the cherry on top of a very large, very ambitious cake.