Toyota and Suzuki announce global tie-up
BY SPENCER LEECH | 21st Mar 2019
TOYOTA Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation this week announced a collaboration to share resources for future vehicles from both brands.
Primarily, Toyota will bring its electrification technologies to the table, while Suzuki will supply its compact vehicle resources.
Toyota will give Suzuki access to its Toyota Hybrid System (THS) globally, and spread hybrid electric vehicle technologies in India through local procurement of hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) systems, engines and batteries.
Moreover, Suzuki will gain two new electrified vehicles built on the Toyota RAV4 and Corolla wagon platforms for Europe.
In Toyota’s favour, Suzuki will supply two compact vehicles built on its Ciaz and Ertiga platforms in India, and its India-produced vehicles including the Baleno, Vitara, Brezza and Ertiga will be used for Toyota in Africa.
Toyota will also adopt newly developed Suzuki engines for compact vehicles, which will be manufactured at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Poland.
With a focus on the Indian market, the brands will develop a Toyota C-segment MPV for OEM supply to Suzuki, and Toyota will produce Suzuki’s Vitara Brezza small SUV.
According to a statement from both companies, as long as they can continue to fairly and freely compete against each other, the pair intends to consider further collaboration to realise a “sustainable future mobility society while respecting all applicable laws”.
Toyota president Akio Toyoda said that the joint venture will help employ more hybrid vehicles globally, and give both brands a “competitive edge”.
“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,” he said.
“Widespread acceptance is necessary for electrified vehicles to be able to contribute to 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-from the mutual supply of vehicles and powertrains to the domains of development and production-will help give us the competitive edge we will need to survive this once-in-a-century period of profound transformation.
“We intend to strengthen the competitiveness of both our companies by applying our strong points and learning from each other.”
