Suzuki Motor Corp is set to provide its first battery electric SUV to Toyota Motor Corp, marking a significant expansion of their alliance into the electric vehicle sector.
Maruti Suzuki, Suzuki’s subsidiary in India, plans to start production of the new model at its Gujarat facility in early 2025. The platform for this electric vehicle (EV) was developed collaboratively by Suzuki, Toyota, and Daihatsu, a Toyota subsidiary.
Toyota president Koji Sato stated, “We would like to learn from each other’s strengths, compete, and further joint efforts based on a multi-pathway approach.”
Following the announcement, shares of Maruti Suzuki rose by approximately 4 percent, reaching near the session’s high. Suzuki holds about a 58 percent stake in Maruti Suzuki.
The upcoming SUV will feature a 60-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offering a range of 500 kilometers (311 miles). A concept version of this EV was unveiled at last year’s auto show in India.
This marks the first battery electric vehicle produced under the partnership between the two companies. The new model is part of Toyota’s plan to launch ten battery-powered vehicles by 2026, as confirmed by a company spokesperson. Production will exclusively take place at the Gujarat plant.
Toyota and Suzuki originally established their business alliance in 2017, focusing on sharing products and manufacturing resources. Under this partnership, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has sold Suzuki’s premium hatchback Baleno as the Glanza and the compact SUV Brezza as the Urban Cruiser in India, although the Urban Cruiser has since been discontinued.
In 2022, the collaboration between the two Japanese automakers deepened, especially in development and production within India.
Earlier on Wednesday, Toyota announced that it sold just over 108,000 battery electric vehicles worldwide during the first nine months of this year, representing 1.5 percent of its total global sales, which includes its luxury Lexus brand.
Suzuki president Toshihiro Suzuki expressed gratitude for the ongoing collaboration, stating, “Suzuki will supply our first BEV to Toyota globally. I am grateful that the collaboration between the two companies has further deepened in this way.”
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