Sign up for our popular daily email to catch all the latest EV news!
Suzuki Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation have announced plans to expand their collaboration in the field of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). A new BEV SUV model developed by Suzuki will be supplied to Toyota, with production set to commence at Suzuki Motor Gujarat in India from spring 2025.
Key Highlights:
- Suzuki to supply BEV SUV to Toyota.
- Production to begin in India in spring 2025.
- Joint effort to promote carbon neutrality.
Suzuki and Toyota share a history that dates back to their origins in Enshu, the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture, where both companies transitioned from loom manufacturing to the automotive industry. Their partnership has strengthened since 2016, under the leadership of Suzuki’s Chairman (now Senior Advisor) Osamu Suzuki and Toyota’s President (now Chairman) Akio Toyoda. The collaboration aims to enhance freedom of movement and driving enjoyment, encompassing areas such as vehicle production, mutual supply, and electrified vehicle development. This collaboration has led to joint vehicle launches across Japan, India, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
The upcoming BEV SUV will be the first battery electric vehicle under the OEM collaboration between Suzuki and Toyota. The model will be launched globally, aiming to offer a competitive BEV in the rapidly growing SUV market. The initiative also aligns with both companies’ carbon-neutral goals and their broader efforts to foster sustainability.
Designed exclusively as a BEV, the new SUV combines nimble driving dynamics with the sharp performance characteristic of electric vehicles. It offers an ample cruising range, a comfortable cabin, and a 4WD system that enhances drivability on rough terrain. The jointly developed platform by Suzuki, Toyota, and Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. draws on the strengths of each company.
Suzuki President Toshihiro Suzuki commented, “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. While continuing to be competitors, we will deepen our collaborations toward solving social issues, including the realization of a carbon-neutral society through a multi-pathway approach.”
Toyota President Koji Sato added, “By leveraging the BEV unit and platform that we jointly developed, we will take a new step in our collaboration in the field of electrified vehicles. This will allow us to deliver various choices that contribute to a carbon-neutral society to customers worldwide. We would like to learn from each other’s strengths, compete, and further joint efforts based on a multi-pathway approach.”
Sign up for our popular daily email to catch all the latest EV news!
