Toyota Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation are advancing their partnership by introducing a battery electric vehicle (BEV) SUV, the first of its kind from Suzuki to it. Production is set to start in spring 2025 at Suzuki’s Gujarat plant in India, marking the debut of an all-electric SUV in their Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) agreement.
This BEV, developed by Suzuki, Toyota, and Daihatsu Motor Corporation, promises agile handling, substantial driving range, and a 4WD option for off-road capabilities. The model’s platform and battery system showcase each company’s unique technical strengths.
Toyota and Suzuki’s alliance began in 2016, initiated by leaders Akio Toyoda and Osamu Suzuki, both of whom share a history in Shizuoka Prefecture, where their companies evolved from loom manufacturing to the auto industry. Since then, their partnership has successfully introduced vehicles across markets in Japan, India, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, with this new BEV SUV aiming to capture demand in the expanding SUV market.
Suzuki President Toshihiro Suzuki expressed pride in launching their first BEV for Toyota globally, noting their commitment to carbon neutrality through cooperative efforts. Toyota President Koji Sato added that their BEV development offers new avenues for a sustainable future while benefiting from shared strengths and respectful competition.
In India, Maruti Suzuki already supplies models like the Baleno and Brezza to the company, which rebrands and markets them under its badge. This model has proven mutually beneficial, contributing positively to both Maruti Suzuki and Toyota’s performance in the region. This next phase underscores their dedication to sustainable mobility and highlights the continued evolution of their alliance.
