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How Many Made-in-India Cars Are Exported to the Middle East? Here's How the War Could Impact It

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Mon Mar 02 15:41:56 IST 2026
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Rising tensions in the Middle East following the US–Iran conflict have sparked concerns about the possible impact on India’s automobile exports. However, Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, has clarified that its direct exposure to the Middle East market remains limited.

According to the company, only about 12.5% of its total vehicle exports

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are linked to the Middle East, which significantly reduces the immediate risk from geopolitical instability in the region.

Middle East Share in Maruti Suzuki’s Exports

During the company’s monthly sales call, Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer (Corporate Affairs), said that the Middle East accounts for approximately 12.5% of Maruti Suzuki’s exports in the current financial year.

“We are monitoring the situation, but our share of the Middle East as an export region is not very high. This year, it’s around 12.5%,” Bharti stated.

Exports Spread Across Nearly 100 Countries

Maruti Suzuki exports vehicles to nearly 100 countries

, giving it a well-diversified global presence. Its export markets span:

  • Latin America

  • Africa

  • Asia

  • Europe

  • Middle East

According to the company, this geographic diversification helps maintain a balanced export portfolio and reduces dependence on any single region, thereby lowering overall risk during periods of geopolitical uncertainty.

Strong Growth in Exports in FY26

Maruti Suzuki has reported strong export growth in FY26 so far. From April to February FY26

, the company exported 400,734 units, marking a 33.75% year-on-year increase compared to 299,617 units in the same period last year.

With a 12.5% Middle East share, around 50,000 vehicles were exported to the region during these 11 months.

Bharti also confirmed that Maruti Suzuki has already achieved its full-year export target of 400,000 units for FY26 within the first 11 months, meaning exports in March will add further upside.

Electric Vehicle Exports Gain Momentum

Exports of Maruti Suzuki’s first electric vehicle, the e-Vitara, have crossed 21,000 units. The electric SUV is now exported to 39 countries, with key markets including:

  • UK

  • Norway

  • Denmark

  • Germany

  • Switzerland

This reflects growing global demand for Made-in-India electric vehicles.

Broader Industry Perspective

The Middle East has traditionally been an important market for Indian passenger vehicle exports, especially for small and mid-sized cars. However, prolonged geopolitical tensions could affect:

  • Shipping routes

  • Freight and insurance costs

  • Oil prices

  • Consumer demand

Industry experts note that the Middle East typically accounts for 10–15% of exports for other major automakers as well. Companies like Hyundai Motor India export to over 80 countries, while Nissan Motor India ships vehicles to around 65 countries—both following similar diversification strategies.

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