Suzuki Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation have agreed to expand their collaboration with Suzuki supplying a battery electric (BEV) SUV model to Toyota. This new model is set to be produced at Suzuki Motor Gujarat in India, beginning in spring 2025.
Both Suzuki and Toyota’s businesses have their roots in Enshu―the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture―and both companies took on the challenge of switching their businesses from looms to automobiles. Since Suzuki’s Chairman (current Senior Advisor) Osamu Suzuki and Toyota’s President (current Chairman) Akio Toyoda started exploring business partnerships in 2016, both companies have engaged in a wide-ranging collaboration, aiming to provide people with freedom of movement and fun-to-drive. The fields of collaboration are diverse and include production and mutual supply of vehicles, and the spread of electrified vehicles. As a result, the market launch of collaboration vehicles has expanded to Japan, India, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
This new development marks the first BEV in the OEM relationship between the two companies. It will be launched worldwide, providing a BEV choice even in the SUV market, which is showing remarkable growth. With this new addition, Suzuki and Toyota will further promote their respective initiatives toward realizing a carbon-neutral society.
The new model was designed exclusively as a BEV. A nimble SUV with the sharp driving characteristics of a BEV, it features ample cruising range and a comfortable cabin. It is also available with a 4WD system, offering exceptional drivability on rough roads and a more powerful driving performance.
The BEV unit and platform adopted for this model were jointly developed by Suzuki, Toyota, and Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., utilizing each company’s strength.
Suzuki President Toshihiro Suzuki remarked, “Suzuki is proud to supply our first global BEV to Toyota. I am grateful that our collaboration has deepened in this way. While we remain competitors, we are committed to working together on solutions to social challenges, including achieving a carbon-neutral society through a multi-pathway approach.”
Toyota President Koji Sato added, “By utilizing the jointly developed BEV unit and platform, we are taking a new step forward in our collaboration on electrified vehicles. This will enable us to offer a variety of choices that contribute to a carbon-neutral society for customers worldwide. We aim to learn from each other’s strengths, compete, and further our joint efforts with a multi-pathway approach.
