Toyota, Suzuki to Collaborate on Future Products

Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) and Suzuki Motor Corporation (Suzuki) have agreed recently to consider collaborating with one another in developing new products using their respective strengths.

This means that the collaboration between the two Japanese carmakers will concentrate on Toyota’s strength in electrification technologies and in Suzuki’s strength in developing compact vehicles.

To be more specific, Toyota will look at the following:

1. Supply THS (Toyota Hybrid System) to Suzuki;
2. Widely spread hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technologies in India through local procurement of HEV systems, engines, and batteries; and
3. OEM supply of two new electrified vehicles built on Toyota platforms (RAV4, Corolla Wagon) to Suzuki in Europe.

On the other hand, Suzuki will look at the following:

1. OEM supply of two compact vehicles built on Suzuki platforms (Ciaz and Ertiga) to Toyota in India;
2. Toyota to adopt newly-developed Suzuki engines for compact vehicles. Such engines are to be supported by Denso and Toyota, and will be manufactured at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Poland; and
3. OEM supply of Suzuki’s India-produced vehicles (Baleno, Vitara Brezza, Ciaz, Ertiga) to Toyota, targeting the African market.

Jointly, both Toyota and Suzuki are looking to do the following:

1. Draw upon Suzuki’s expertise in developing vehicles in India, a joint development of a Toyota C-segment MPV and OEM supply to Suzuki; and
2. Production of the Suzuki-developed compact SUV Vitara Brezza at Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM) from 2022.

“Widespread acceptance is necessary for electrified vehicles to be able to contribute to Earth’s environment,” said Toyota President Akio Toyoda. “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.”

“At the time we announced our scope of cooperation in May last year, I spoke that we will strive for success globally,” added Suzuki Chairman Osamu Suzuki. “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.”