Two major car manufacturers, namely - Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) and Suzuki Motor Corporation (Suzuki) have announced a fresh round of future plans under their cross-badging agreement. The partnership is aimed at bringing together Toyota’s strength in electrification and Suzuki’s strength in technologies for compact vehicles. The end result is aimed at achieving widespread popularization of electrified vehicles.
Speaking of plans, starting with the Indian market, Toyota seeks to widely expand hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technologies in the country through local procurement of HEV systems, engines, and batteries. Earlier, the companies had revealed their plans to introduce a Toyota badged version of the Vitara Brezza and Baleno hatchback while Maruti Suzuki planned to introduce the rebadged Corolla. This time around, the fresh plans also include the Toyota badged Ciaz sedan and the Ertiga MPV which will be partly developed by OEM supplier Suzuki. By 2022, the Vitara Brezza will be produced at the company facility at the Toyota Kirloskar facility. As part of global plans, Toyota will supply the hybrid system to Suzuki.
As for the European market, Toyota will supply two new electrified vehicles built on Toyota platforms (RAV4 and Corolla Wagon) to Suzuki. Moreover, in Europe, Toyota will adopt newly developed Suzuki engines for compact vehicles. Such engines will be supported by Denso and Toyota, and will be manufactured at Toyota Motor manufacturing facility in Poland. The popular products from Suzuki in India, namely the Baleno, Vitara Brezza, Ciaz and the Ertiga will be supplied to Toyota in the African market.
Speaking on the occasion, Akio Toyoda, Toyota President, said, “When it comes to vehicle electrification, which is expected to make further inroads, hybrid technologies are seen as playing a huge role in many markets, as from before. Widespread acceptance is necessary for electrified vehicles to be able to contribute to the Earth’s environment. Through our new agreement, we look forward to the wider use of hybrid technologies, not only in India and Europe, but around the world. At the same time, we believe that the expansion of our business partnership with Suzuki.”
Adding to it, Osamu Suzuki, Suzuki Chairman said: “At the time we announced our scope of cooperation in May last year, I spoke that we will strive for success globally. I have seen progress in the partnership since then, and it is my pleasure to be able to make this announcement today regarding the status of partnership on a global basis, including Europe and Africa. In addition, we appreciate the kind offer from Toyota to let us make use of their hybrid technology. We will continue our utmost efforts.”
